Fire Alarm Turned Hazard Box Response in the First Due
By Firefighter Dave Smiley Jr.
January 26, 2016
At 3:22PM on Tuesday, January 26, the fire alarm was dispatched to 800 E. Virginia Ave in the 52 local. Engine 52-2 made the response and while enroute Chester advised that a West Goshen Police Department officer had arrived to find a partial roof collapse in a one story commercial building. Engine 52-2's officer (Lt. Creager) then requested that the building fire response be dispatched, bringing Stations 51, 55, 55 for an ambulance, and Tower 54 to the scene. Engine 52-2 arrived first, confirming a partial roof collapse, with everyone out of the building as well as a natural gas and water leak. Engine 52-1 arrived seconds later, and Captain Barry assumed command, followed by Ladder 53. As crews began sizing up the conditions inside the building and the stability, Assistant 53 arrived to take command, followed by Chief 53 with operations. Air 52, Ambulance 55-1, Engine 51-1, Tower 54, Rescue 53, and Utility/Collapse 53 followed in arriving onscene. Shortly afterwards PECO arrived and secured the gas leak the assignment was held to Engine Company 52 and Ladder 53. Units operated onscene for about two hours before turning the scene over to private engineers.
