Just before 3:00am on January 28th, the Avondale Fire Company pagers activated along with West Grove, Kennett, Longwood, and New Castle County Ambulance 19 (Hockessin) to the Sullivan Station Development for a reported house fire. Assistant 23 responded and received reports of an active basement fire with the homeowner trying to extinguish the fire. Assistant 23 arrived to find a two story single family dwelling with nothing showing. After completing a 360, it was determined that there was an active chimney fire with extension into the basement. Truman command was established. Engine 23-1 (first due engine) arrived, deployed a 300’ hand-line to the basement and secured their own water using a hydrant across the street. Ladder 22 arrived, pulled into the driveway and sent the aerial to the roof. They also threw ground ladders around the exterior of the home for an emergency escape route. Crews found fire in the wall around the fire place and in the floor board between the basement and the 1st floor by the chimney. Crews pulled the wood stove from the wall and cut a hole in the floor to remove the the hot spots. Crews checked for further extension and began over-haul The fire was placed under control and units began to be released.

Special thanks to Lancaster Tanker 52 and Engine 27 for covering the Avondale local during this incident.

Final units cleared at 0505 hours.