At 1:20 AM on Friday, December 9, Stations 51, 52, 53, and 55 ambulance were dispatched to 513 East Barnard Street for the reported house fire. Initial reports stated that there were flames from the basement. Within 2 minutes Engine 52-2 responded with a crew of six firefighters, who were at the firehouse for the weekly bunk in night. The Engine quickly arrived at the house, which is about a block from Station 52, reporting heavy fire throughout the first floor and then requesting for the working fire dispatch, bringing an Engine from Station 54 (Goshen), and also a RIT Team from Station 56 (Goshen). Chief 52, Assistant 51, and Ladder 53 arrived onscene and the Good Will crew went interior, attempting to make a knock on the fire. Due to the large amount of fire, the crew was forced back outside and then started making a knock on the fire. Engine 53, Engine 51-1, and Air 52 then arrived onscene and provided more manpower to fight the fire. After a long, and hard fire fight the fire was placed under control by Chief 52 at 3:50AM. The final West Chester units returned to station around 5:30 AM. A job well done to all fire companies who operated at the fireground, and a thank you to the stand-by companies who covered the department while at the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
