At 1641 hours on Wednesday afternoon, the Avondale Fire Company along with surrounding Chester County and New Castle County Companies, were alerted for a residential structure fire on Rocky Springs Road in New Garden Township. Chief 23 (Cole) went responding on dispatch and reported a large column of smoke from 3 miles out. Chief 23 requested the WFD (Working Fire Dispatch) which added Rescue 27, Medic 94, CCFM and PECO.
Engine 23-2, Tanker 23 and EMS responded shortly after dispatch. Chief 23 arrived to find a 1-story, single family dwelling with heavy fire in an attached garage spreading to the rest of the home. Also, due to the high winds, embers from the fire were catching patches of the adjacent corn field on fire, which prompted Chief 23 to request multiple brush units to assist with extinguishing the field fire. Chief 23 then assumed operations, while Deputy 23 (Bessicks) held Rocky Springs Command.
Engine 23-2 arrived as the first due engine and laid a supply line up Rocky Springs Road from Old Limestone Road. Hockessin's Ladder took the driveway, assumed the first due special service and conducted a primary search of the residence. Fortunately, all residents were out prior to the arrival of the fire company.
Engine 23-2's crew stretched an 1" 3/4 attack line as well as a 2.5" attack line.
Due to heavy fire conditions in the area of the garage, both the 2.5" line and the 1" 3/4 attack line were utilized to extinguish a large amount of fire that was coming from the garage. After crews were able to darken down the bulk of the garage fire, crews from Engine 23-1, Engine 24 and New Castle Engine 14 made entry into the home and began assisting with fire attack.
Crews from Longwood's Ladder 25 began to cut ventilation holes in the roof above to provide better interior conditions for crews by letting out both heat and smoke. While also performing this task, interior crews were also able to extinguish any hidden fires in the ceiling and walls that had extended from the garage.
As stated before, due to the high winds, fire had spread to the adjacent field where brush units from Kennett, Po-Mar-Lin, Modena, and Five Points worked in unison to stop the fire from spreading any further and causing more damage.
Remaining crews staged in manpower and assisted with overhaul operations. Cochranville Fire Company's Rescue 27 was also utilized to fill air cylinders on the scene due to the units built-in air cascade system.
Roughly after two hours, the incident was placed under control and units began to clean-up and head back to their respective stations.
Avondale Fire Company would like to thank Goodwill Fire Company of West Chester (Sta. 52) for standing by at our station during the incident and helping crews with clean-up.
Avondale also extends a thank you to Southern Chester County Regional Police for helping the first arriving crews with stretching handlines and setting up ladders.