On April 17th, at 1843 hours, Avondale Fire Company and surrounding mutual aid companies were dispatched to a reported residential fire in the 200 block of Ellicott Road in New Garden Township.

Due to an in-house duty crew, Engine 23-2 and Tanker 23 were on the street at dispatch. Chief and Deputy 23 both went en route and were notified by Chester County Fire Board that the next door neighbor called and reported half of a house was on fire. Deputy 23 arrived first on the scene and confirmed the report of a 1-story ranch style home with fire showing on the C/D side.

Deputy 23 established the Ellicott Command. Chief 23 (Cole) arrived just behind and assumed operations. Engine 23-2 arrived as the first due engine, pulled a 200' 1" 3/4 attack line to the front door and made their way to where the fire was located in the back bedroom. Due to a lack of hydrants in the immediate area, Tanker 23 came up behind the engine and supplied them with water.

Ladder 22 (West Grove) arrived as the first due special and sent their crew to perform searches for any victims inside, as well as horizontal and vertical ventilation. Horizontal ventilation took place by crews taking out windows in and around the fire room to allow the smoke and heat to escape. This improved interior conditions for the crews. Vertical ventilation performed the same role but this method was done by removing the metal roof and cutting holes to remove the heat and smoke from the fire room as well as the rest of the home.

Crews from Engine 24 (Kennett) assisted with opening up the ceiling and walls inside the fire room and adjacent rooms to assure there was no extension.

Engine 24 established a fill site to refill the tankers on the scene.

Remaining units from West Grove, Longwood, Po-Mar-Lin, and Hockessin staged in manpower until they were released by Command.

Engine 36, Tanker 36 and Tower 24 were released from the scene and covered the southern end from Station 23. During their coverup, crews assisted Ambulance 23-1 and Medic 94 on a reported cardiac arrest that stemmed from a chocking call in the Avondale local. Fortunately, the patient was conscious by the time responders arrived and was transported to a nearby trauma center.

23 and 22 Fire Police closed Ellicott Road at nearby intersections to provide scene safety for all fire and EMS crews on the scene.