911 tape released in Baltimore fire truck accident

The Baltimore Sun

A 911 tape released yesterday provided few clues as to what happened in a fatal firetruck accident Sunday morning in Northwest Baltimore.

"Engine 29 urgent," says a firefighter's voice on the tape. "Truck 27's been involved in a serious accident. We have a rescue at the intersection of Clarks and Park Heights Avenue. Dispatch another engine on the assignment and pull me out of service on that call."

Later in the tape, a man says, "I've got two people trapped at the intersection with me at Clarks and Park Heights Avenue with a rescue squad up the street available."

City officials released the four-minute 15-second tape from the accident that killed three civilians yesterday but declined to release any other information.

City fire and police officials reconstructed the accident that occurred at Clarks Lane and Park Heights Avenue.

City officials continued yesterday to refuse to identify the four firefighters involved in the accident.

Truck 27 was coming from the Engine Company 45 station house, in the 2700 block of Glen Ave., about 3 a.m. Sunday, responding to a report of smoke in the hallway of a house. The truck struck a sport utility vehicle, killing Mikhail Petrov, 35; his wife, Iryna Petrov, 49; and their friend Igor Saub, 24.

The Baltimore Police Department is investigating the accident to determine whether the driver of the firetruck or Iryna Petrov, who was driving the SUV, failed to stop at a red light.

If authorities determine the firetruck failed to stop at the signal, the case would be referred to a city prosecutor.

Natalia Fonti, a friend of the Petrovs, said friends and relatives set up a fund for people to donate to help defray the costs of the funerals.

People who wish to donate can do so at any Bank of America branch by leaving money for the Mikhail & Iryna Petrov & Igor Saub Fund.