Sewer explosion, December 8, 1966

Dispatch call, December 8, 1966

Description:	This is a digitized recording of a dictabelt, which the Indianapolis Fire Department used to record dispatch calls during the 1960s and 1970s. Following are the calls on this dictabelt: 1) Dispatcher broadcasts news that the street at the viaduct on the 3400 block of E New York is blocked by water until further notice. 2) Heart attack reported at 437 S Senate, Central Machine Works. Squad 17 sent to respond, ambulance on the way. 3) Mrs. Shaw, personnel office at Methodist, looking for someone to give a reference for a fireman, dispatcher connects her to Chiefs office. 4) Caller asks what going on at West 14th St, Z night metal has an ADT alarm going off. 5) Caller asks if firemen pick up toys to distribute at Christmas, dispatcher informs him that toys can be dropped off at fire stations. 6) Caller requests information, doctor thinks her asthma is caused by carbon monoxide from gas stove, dispatch transfers her to fire prevention. 7) Caller reports gas at 25th and Sherman, 1000 gallons of gasoline laying on top of water, they dumped the tank or the tanks got away from them, they want someone to flush it down. Gas is in a hole in the ground near the station, station manager wants a truck standing by while they pump it out. Gas is not in the street yet. They have a few more tanks theyre afraid will capsize on them. 8) Open trash fires burning in the 1200 block of Oliver. Engine 19 sent to respond. 9) Dispatcher informs police that he is sending an apparatus to 25th and Sherman, approximately 1000 gallons of gas spilled into a pit or a trench, possibility of more being spilled. Dispatcher makes another call to investigate gas spill further. Filling station staff are working on pumping gas out but are concerned that more of the 6000-gallon tanks will capsize and spill too much gas to flush down the sewer. Dispatcher calls street commissioner. 11) 110 W Arizona, rescue squad requested to assist woman who fainted. Squad 17 sent to respond. 12) Caller requests street commissioner or sewer commissioner, filling station staff are planning to put 1000 gallons of spilled gas down the sewer, which is likely to cause big explosions. Dispatcher updates engine 21, on its way to investigate. 13) Dispatcher informs street commissioner about situation at filling station near 25th and Sherman. Recording ends at 12:48 AM. Dictabelt
Origin:	1966-12-08
Source:	http://www.digitalindy.org/cdm/ref/collection/ffm/id/90498
Collection:	Indianapolis Firefighters Museum
Rights:	http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/UND/1.0/;
Copyright:	Copyright Undetermined
Subjects:	Emergency communication systems Fire departments--Indiana--Indianapolis Fires--Indiana--Indianapolis Indianapolis (Ind.). Fire Department--History

Further information on this record can be found at its source.