A fire in an unoccupied structure on Scarlett Road in New Garden Township turned into a tragedy early on Saturday, February 28 when volunteer firefighters discovered a fire victim inside.

Crews from the Avondale, Kennett, Longwood, Hockessin, and West Grove fire companies were dispatched at 407am for a fire. A passerby called 911 to report seeing the back of a house on fire. Crews were advised enroute that the structure had had a previous fire many months ago and was known to be unoccupied.

West Grove Fire Company was dispatched for the RIT assignment (Rapid Intervention Team), and responded with Rescue 22 and Engine 32.

Avondale and Kennett units arrived to report heavy fire on the second and third floor of the structure in the rear, confirming a building that appeared to be unoccupied. Avondale units began a fire attack, with Ladder 25 positioning in the front of the building. Engine 24-1 laid a five inch line from the intersection of Scarlett and South. Tanker 24 and 25 dropped portable tanks at the intersection to supply the fire scene.

West Grove units arrived on the scene, with crews setting up the RIT team and Engine 32 taking up the drafting operation at the portable tanks, supplying the water for fire scene.

Working inside, firefighters discovered a fatality, which was then turned over to the Chester County Coroner and the New Garden Police Department. Chester County Fire Marshals were also on the scene investigating. Units extinguished the fire, while working under difficult conditions, with temperatures in the low teens, and ice forming quickly on all surfaces. Units cleared the scene about three hours after the initial dispatch.

Additional media coverage on this incident can be found here:

Action News: http://6abc.com/news/house-fire-claims-a-life-in-new-garden-twp/538339/
Daily Local News: http://www.dailylocal.com/general-news/20150228/body-of-man-55-found-after-firefighters-extinguish-house-fire-in-new-garden