
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, November 22, 1994                   TAG: 9411220116
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: NEW YORK                                 LENGTH: Medium

FIRE-TRUCK LADDER THAT BUCKLED, KILLING FATHER, IS WIDELY USED

A fire ladder that twisted and collapsed during a rescue, throwing a man to his death and injuring four other people, is used by fire companies across the country.

And it will go on being used despite Sunday's accident, several big city fire departments said Monday.

Seagrave Aerial, based in Clintonville, Wis., has ``been in business for 100 years,'' and its ladders are used in every major city, said Tom Kniaz, chief of apparatus for the Detroit Fire Department.

Yreno Espanoso, 37, was killed when the 3-year-old lightweight, aluminum-alloy ladder buckled as he and his family climbed out a sixth-floor window.

Firefighter Greg Smith gripped Espanoso's children, 6-year-old Lissetto and 4-year-old Edwin, as the ladder groaned, twisted and crashed to the ground. Their mother, Aqueda Santana, 31, who was following Smith, also managed to hold on. The mother and children were in critical but stable condition at Bellevue Hospital, spokeswoman Vicki Ciampa said Monday. Smith was in stable condition at Bellevue.

The ladder was fully extended to 91 feet at a low angle. Investigators said they probably will look into whether a combination of factors - the length of extension, low angle and weight - contributed to the accident. They also will investigate whether proper procedures were followed.

Roanoke Deputy Fire Chief Winston Simmons said that four of Roanoke's six ladder trucks are made by Seagrave. He said the department never has had any trouble with its ladders, which were tested this summer.

Staff writer Matt Chittum contributed information for this story.

Keywords:
FATALITY

by CNB