The Forge Group demonstrates TIGNIS blanket used extensively in Europe.

Union and Kingston Firefighters were on-hand at the first US demonstration of the TIGNIS fire extinguishment blanket at their training facility on Asa Pond Road. The blanket, developed by Firetexx products in Europe, provides an alternative to extinguishing car and other material fires.  Used in the Netherlands and England since 2007, the $2,800 blanket can be used up to ten times before being replaced.

Union Fire District officers were able to secure the first American demonstration of the product after meeting the company’s US representatives, headquartered in Newport, over the last few months according to Deputy Chief Kevin Quinn.

Forge Group representative Jorgen Niewhoff said the blanket, made of a glass fiber and silicon coating, can be constructed to fit a variety of size needs for applications at construction yards, oil rigs, and other areas where traditional firefighting methods could be risky.

Firefighters cover the suspect vehicle with the blanket and tuck the sides in, depriving fire of one of its three ingredients – oxygen.  After ten to twenty minutes the blanket is then removed, according to Niewhoff.  UFD firefighters from Tower Hill were able to easily wield the blanket to extinguish a car fire which was started at the training grounds for the purpose of conducting a live fire demonstration.