Working Fire in New Garden

By: Chief Guy Swift

On Wednesday February 20th at 2135 hours the Avondale Fire Company along with Hockessin Fire Company were dispatched for a dwelling next to 148 Walnut Run Rd. Chief 23 (Swift) arrived on scene at 2142 confirming a working living room fire with extension to the second floor. Chief 23 established Walnut Run command and updated the address to 138 Walnut Run Road. Engine 23-2 arrived on scene at 2145 hours with the orders to stretch a 1 ¾ hand line to the side door. The first in crew under direction of Lt 23A entered the side entrance to find heavy smoke and heat conditions; they proceeded to the left to enter the fire room, with little to no visibility they vented the first window to improve conditions. Firefighters Stanton and Franks relayed heavy fire conditions in the living room and started to attack the fire. The second in engine crew pulled a second line to the rear for back up. Two additional engines were added by command to aid in manpower. That brought in New Castle County Engine 14-5 and Engine 25-2 (Longwood) both units redirected to the scene from relocate assignments. Those Crews were sent to the second floor and attic to check for extension. Tower 19 and crews from 23 opened up the rear roof and side “C” exterior. Fire was placed under control @ 2248 with all units working. Air 36 was requested to the scene for air bank. Chief 23 cleared the scene for work requirements, but prior to leaving thanked all personnel for an excellent job. Leaving the command to Deputy Chief 23. All units cleared the scene at 0027. A special thanks to Union Fire Co. of Oxford Station 21 for providing a relocate engine and FM’s 102 and 103 (THE A TEAM) for another speedy response.

During this incident West Grove Fire Company handled an AFA for Station 23 in London Grove Twp.

Units: Engine 23-2, Engine 23-1, Engine 23-3, Tanker 23, Squad 23, Amb. 23-2

Mutual Aid: Engine 19-3, Tower 19, Tanker 19, Engine 25-2, Engine 14-5, Air 36