In the middle of a hot and humid Saturday afternoon, the West Grove Fire Company (12, 22, 32) was dispatched to assist the Union Fire Company of Oxford (21) on a reported house fire on Elkview Road, near the intersection of Kimble Road in Lower Oxford Township.

Engine 21-1 and Engine 12 responded quickly, along with Assistant Chief 21. Units were advised that the residents had evacuated and were reporting fire in the second floor bedroom.

Assistant Chief 21 went on location with a single family dwelling with nothing showing. After his initial size up, he reported smoke showing on the A side, and directed Engine 12 to come up the driveway to his position, pulling forward to leave room for Ladder 21. As the initially-arriving apparatus, Engine 12 laid a five inch supply line 400 feet up the driveway and deployed an 1-3/4" attack line with two firefighters in the front door.

Additional responding units were Engine 22, Engine 32, Squad 22, Engine 21-2 and Engine 21-4, Ladder 21, Tanker 21 and Ambulance 21-1.

Assistant Chief 21 then updated the report, indicating a working fire on the second floor and requested a "working fire dispatch" and assumed Elkview Command. He directed Engine 21-1 to supply Engine 12, and Ladder 21 to pull up the driveway and fully ladder all windows.

The working fire dispatch brought units from Cochranville (27) and Medic 94, as well as re-dispatched 21 and 12/22/32.

Work by the initial fire crew was successful as the hand line to the master bedroom and bathroom knocked down the fire and crews began ventilating smoke and looking for any fire extension. Assistant 21 quickly declared the fire under control and recalled the working fire dispatch units (except for 94).

Units worked to clear the house of any smoke, assist in the investigation, and crews began to take up hose and supply lines, and equipment and ladders. The combination of hot sun and humid conditions meant firefighters needed water and re-hab, provided by the ambulance crews.

Units were back in station and completing clean up in about two hours.