At 6:44 AM on Thursday, August 18, Stations 51, 52, 53, and 55 were dispatched to 805 East Locust Lane for the house fire. At 6:47 Assistant 51, Ladder 53, and Engine 52-1 led by Captain Stafford with a crew of 6 firefighters responded to the fire. Assistant 51 went onscene confirming a fire and requesting the working fire dispatch. Ladder 53 went onscene and it's crew went into service throwing ladders and then following Engine 52-1's crew into the house in an attempt to locate and extinguish the fire. Due to the amount of smoke and heat inside the dwelling crews were forced to evacuate the structure shortly before fire broke through the roof. Engine 53 arrived and found a water supply for Engine 52-1. Rescue 53, Air 52, and Engine 51-2 also statused onscene shortly after. At 7:12, Chief 52 requested the 2nd alarm assignment bringing RIT (Rapid Intervention Team) from Station 54, an Engine from Station 6, and an Engine from Station 39. Upon the evacuation of the interior attack teams Ladder 53 set up the master streams and knocked down the fire from the outside. Shortly after, crews went back to an interior attack and had to be pulled out once more before finally placing the fire under control at 9:40. All units were back inservice and available by 10:45. The fire was believed to have started by way of lightning. Thanks to Station 4, Station 25, and Delaware County Station 69 for standing by while we were extinguishing the fire.
Units:
Stations 51, 52, 53
Mutual Aid:
Station 55, 6, 39, 25, 4, Delaware County Station 69, West Chester Police Department, Chester County Fire Marshal's Office
Fire conditions shortly after the arrival of Engine 52-1
Fire conditions shortly after the house was evacuated
Heavy smoke in the area of the dwelling was also a problem as seen in this photo of Engine 52-1
Chief 52 inside the dwelling
The aftermath of the fire as units cleared the scene
