Weekly Drill Interrupted by Working House Fire
 
By Ridge Fire Co.
June 28, 2022
 

On Tuesday, June 28th at 1933hrs, as members were involved with our weekly training, Chester County Communications alerted Ridge Fire Co (Station 62), Limerick Fire Dept (MontCo Station 51) and Goodwill Ambulance of Pottstown (MICU 84) for a House Fire on Franklin Ave in East Coventry Twp. Crews quickly switched gears from a rescue drill to a fire response and responded with Engine 62-1, Eng. 62-5, and Eng. 62-2 just a few minutes after dispatch. Initial notes advised of a house on fire. East Coventry PD arrived on scene moments later followed by Chief and Deputy 62 confirming a working fire from the 2nd floor of a single family home with all occupants evacuated. The Working Fire Dispatch was transmitted bringing Engine 64-5 (Norco FC), additional EMS units from Goodwill (M329), Chester County Fire Marshalls, along with the Tanker and Air unit from MontCo 51. While Chief 62 was doing scene size up Deputy 62 established Franklin Ave Command and provided incoming instructions to the approaching 62 units. Crews from Engine 62-1 stretched two hand lines to knock down the fire while Engine 62-5 provided water supply to Eng. 62-1. The crew from Engine 62-2 assisted with setting up water supply to Engine 62-5 through the hydrant located a short distance from the scene. Command requested PECO to the scene for a live power line down in the driveway due to the fire. Crews made a quick attack and knocked the fire down on the 2nd floor by 1948hrs. Arriving crews assisted with checking for extension and confirming the fire had not extended below the 2nd floor attic space, placing the fire under control by 1954hrs. Crews ventilated the house and completed overhaul so the Chester County Fire Marshalls could conduct their investigation. Command requested the American Red Cross for the displaced residents and BELFOR to the scene to board up and secure the residence. Goodwill EMS provided rehab services to the responders and 62 and 64 Fire Police assisted with traffic control along Rt 724.

Thank you to Norco and Limerick Fire Dept for their assistance on scene and providing standby coverage from the scene if a second incident came in.

All apparatus cleared the scene available by 2111hrs with Chief 62 remaining on scene to meet with the Red Cross and BELFOR.

 
Units: Engine 62-1, Engine 62-5, Engine 62-2, Utility 62, Traffic 62 and 62 Fire Police
 
Mutual Aid: Limerick Fire Dept (M51), Norco Fire Co (64), Goodwill EMS of Pottstown (MICU 84/M329), East Coventry PD, FM101, FM102, PECO Energy, BELFOR Restoration and American Red Cross.