The West Grove Fire Company along with Avondale, Aetna of Newark and Hockessin Fire Companies were dispatched to the 300 block of Indian Town Road in London Britain Township at 1627 hours for a reported house fire. Engine 23-1 went responding seconds after the dispatch, being advised the caller stated there was fire coming from the roof. Engine 22-3 went responding and advised Chester that they had a column from a couple miles out. Deputy 22 requested the first alarm tanker task force bringing tankers from 21 (Union), 36 (Po-Mar-Lin) 27 (Cochranville) 24 (Kennett), and Cecil County 14 (Elkton). He also requested the WFD (Working Fire Dispatch) which added additional engines, additional EMS resources and RIT. Engine 22-3 was the first to arrive, took the front yard, pulled a 2 ½ inch hand-line and left the driveway open for the truck company. Engine 23-1 arrived supplying Engine 22-3 with their 1000 gallons of water, while the crew went in-service with a second hand-line. Due to the fire being advanced on their arrival, command had crews went defensive until the bulk of the fire was knocked down. As the tankers arrived, they had to back down Indian Town Road and supply Engine 22-3 while they supplied hand lines and the ladder pipe operation. Once the fire was knocked down, Engine 23-1's crew went into the first floor wetting down smoldering debris and opening up the interior. Engine 21-1's crew found a cat in the basement alive and Avondale EMS crew gave the cat oxygen and water. Crews operated at this incident for a total of six hours.
Special Thanks to Christiana Fire Company Tanker 52-1 for covering us while we operated on this box alarm.
Units:
Engine(s) 23-1, 23-2, Tanker, Traffic, and Ambulance 23-2.
Mutual Aid:
West Grove, Union of Oxford, Aetna of Newark, Hockessin, Southern Chester County Medic 94, Cochranville, Po- Mar-Lin, Elkton, Kennett, Longwood, Sadsburyville, West Bradford, SCC Medic 94, Chester County FM(s) 100,101, and 102.
Fire conditions on the "D" side.
AFCEMS crew giving oxygen to the rescued cat.
The "A" side of the building after the fire.
Engine 22-3 in the yard supplying hand-lines.
Units were met with heavy fire conditions from the "A" side and roof area on arrival.
A column of smoke could be seen from miles away.
Rehab
Lieutenant Swift taking a break.
Fire on the "B" side.
Firefighter Melton and Lieutenant Ianni opening the first floor interior walls checking for hot spots.
Firefighter Melton putting the 2nd hand-line in-service
