Company Runs Working House Fire in New Garden Township

May 8th, 2007
By: Deputy Chief Steve Cole Jr.

At 1044 hours on May 8TH. 2007 the Avondale Fire Company, West Grover Fire Company (Stations 22&12), along with an Engine and Tanker from Hockessin Fire Company Delaware (Station 19) were dispatched to the 200 block of Ellicott Road for a house fire. Deputy 23 made the response with-in minutes. Chester County Fire Radio advised Deputy 23 that 9-1-1 reports indicated smoke coming from the roof a house. Ambulance 23-1 arrived at 1051 hours with smoke showing. Engine 23-2, Tanker 23, and Engine 22 all made the response at 1051 hours with light crews. Deputy 23 arrived at 1052 hours establishing “Ellicott Road Command” and requesting the “WFD” (Working Fire Dispatch). Ambulance 23-1 advised Deputy 23 that the structure was two mobiles home put together with a joining roof, with two different living areas. Neighbors were also advising that all occupants were out of both residents. A quick search was done, and no one was inside either residents. Lieutenant 12 was assigned “operations”. Engine 23-2 and Tanker 23 arrived at 1054 hours. Command had both units pull into the driveway. The Engine 23-2 crew led off with a 1 ¾” hand line to side “A” of the fire building, Tanker 23 was assigned to supply Engine 23-2 with additional water as needed. The crew from Engine 23-2 had to force the door open to access the fire. Crew had the bulk of fire knocked down quickly. Engine 22’s crew entered side “B” with a hand line from Tanker 23 checking for fire extension. Due to the time of day manpower was short. Command requested two additional Engines which brought Engines 24-2, and 24-6. Engine 23-3 and Tanker 19 arrived setting up on the “C” side. Crews checked for extensions on the “C” side which was the 2ND. part of the mobile home. Tanker 22 arrived, and pulled in behind Tanker 23 as an extra water source. Crews were also working on ventilation by opening the roof with power & hand tools. With shortness still in manpower and warmer outside temperatures, Command added three more Engines to the incident which brought Engines 21-2, 25-1, and 27-3. The arriving Engine crews went into a manpower pool awaiting assignments overseen by Chief 27. One firefighter was having chest pains, Command re-assigned Ambulance 23-1 and Medic 94-3 to the firefighter. Ambulance 22-2 was added for the fire stand-by. Ambulance 23-1 and Medic 94-3 transported the firefighter to “CER”. The American Red Cross was requested to the scene to obtain clothing and shelter for the miss-placed residents. Once the fire was basically out and placed under control, the Chester County and State Police Fire Marshalls began the investigation. Once the investigation was done crews from manpower pool began removing burnt debris from the fire rooms. Engine 21-2 (with foam) then hooked into Engine 23-2 and foam was applied to the fire rooms to prevent any hot-spots from popping up. Crews took up equipment, and prepared the clear the scene. Final units cleared the scene 1350 hours. The Avondale units went back in-service at 1445 hours.

Thanks to all companies and personnel involved for job well done once again.

Also thanks to The Oxford Fire Company (Engine 21-2) for the use of foam, which saved overhauling time a great amount.

The Avondale crews want to thanks Atglen Fire Co. Engine 26-1 and Longwood Fire Co. Tanker 25 for re-locating our station during this call. Engine 26-1 also made the response with Engine 23-1 to an Auto Accident in Station 12’s local.

Avondale Units: Engines 23-2, 23-3, Tanker, Traffic, Squad, and Ambulance 23-1.
Mutual Aid: Engines: 22, 12-1, 19-3, 24-1, 25-1, 27-3, and 21-2. Tankers: 22, 19, and 24-6. Ambulance 22-2, Medic 94-3, Chester County Fire Marshall, State Police Fire Marshall, New Garden Police Department, PECO and American Red Cross.