On 8/10/12 at 0713, the Good Will Fire Company was dispatched for two engines to assist the Goshen Fire Company (Stations 54 and 56) and an engine from the West Whiteland Fire Company (Station 6) on a reported house fire in the 1200 block of Gail Road in West Goshen. At 0718, due to the reports of the initial callers, a Working Fire Dispatch was requested. Shortly after, neighbors began to report the possibility of two elderly individuals trapped within the structure. Deputy 56 arrived on location reporting smoke from the roof and confirmed multiple people trapped, requesting a second alarm. Ladder 56 arrived on location and secured a water supply, followed shortly after by Engine 54-1, Engine 52-2 and Engine 6-2. The entire four man crew from Engine 52-2, led by Lieutenant Creager, reported to the front yard with tools for manpower. Shortly after, one male victim was removed from the rear of the house, followed several minutes later by the removal of a female victim to the front yard. Members from the crew of Engine 52-2 attempted resuscitation of the female victim, but sadly both victims succumbed to their injuries at the scene. Engine 52-1 under the command of Captain Good and Air 52 arrived on scene, and the 52 crew was split, performing multiple tasks. 52 crews performed a VES primary search of the second floor, encountering high heat conditions while checking for extension. A second crew assisted in laddering the rear and forcing entry through a set of bilco doors to the basement, also encountering moderate heat and smoke conditions while performing overhaul under the fire area on the first floor. Crews later assisted with the primary attack line on the first floor and with a hand line to the rear basement access. At 0745, the fire was placed under control. Due to worsening weather conditions, the incident was scaled back to the original first alarm assignment. Engine 52-2 remained on scene until 1100 with crews assisting the Fire Marshalls and performing extensive overhaul on the first floor. The Good Will Fire Company sends its condolences to the victims, family and friends of those involved. Special thank you to Ladder 25 and Engine 47-2 covering the Borough of West Chester as both 52 and 53 (Fame of West Chester, acting as RIT) operated at the incident.
