Early in the morning on November 26 at 1:16am, southern Chester County firefighters were alerted for a possible woods fire in Franklin Township near Church Hill Road. Responding Avondale units were advised the alarm was being upgraded to a fully involved house fire, adding in units from West Grove, Kennett, and Hockessin. This was the second call for WGFC at the same time, with firefighters from Stations 12 and 32 called to Elkton for a house fire and then standing by in Elkton's fire station.

Avondale units determined the residence was not occupied, and was fully involved on their arrival. Complicating the situation was a fully active electric line down in the front yard which created a significant safety hazard. Given the advanced state of the fire, an apparently unoccupied house, and the safety issue, Ladder 22's waterway was used to provide primary firefighting.

Deputy 23 had Hilltop Command with Chief 23 on Operations. Ladder 22 was positioned in front of the residence, and a water tanker shuttle was established to supply the ladder pipe operation.

WGFC Engine 32 left the fire scene to establish a water tanker fill site in the nearby Sullivan Chase housing development. Tankers made the round trip to be filled at that site -- in all, more than 20,000 gallons of water were supplied by this method, in addition to water carried in fire trucks and tankers as they arrived on scene.

The fire was declared under control at 2:48am. The last units cleared the scene at 3:32am.

More coverage on this fire can be found on the Avondale Fire Company website at http://www.afc23.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=73