The silence of a hot steamy night was broken by the radio tones of the West Grove Fire Company on Tuesday, June 16. The communication center was contacted around 1:40 A.M. by a passerby who reported a fire at Flint Hill Road and Indiantown Road. Firebox 3201 was dispatched, signaling apparatus from Stations 32, 12, and 22 to respond. Captain Tim Shannon quickly established that a structure at the location was fully involved. Shortly thereafter, Flint Hill command was established by Assistant Chief Bob Hannan. Additional manpower was requested from Station 23 (Avondale), Station 21 (Union Fire Co), Station 19 (Hockessin), Station 36 (Po-Mar-Lin), Station 13 (Singerly Fire, Cecil County), and Station 8 (Aetna, New Castle County)). Chester County Communication Center relocated several stations from Bart Township and Quarryville to cover the district. The main fire was knocked down quickly, but units remained on scene until 4:42 A.M. to tend to hot spots. Ambulance 12 and 22 stood by, but firefighters handled the heat without incident. Fire Police diverted traffic away from the fire scene for the duration of the event. The barn was not occupied. No injuries were reported. Appropriate training, adequate reserve manpower, and quality communications made this a textbook response for the West Grove Fire Company.
Ladder 22 readies for a water assault.
Firefighters communicate at the scene.
West Grove Ladder 22 contains the fire
Ground crews attack the fire.
Hot spots continued to flare throughout the night.
Assistant Chief 22 establishes command
Tanker 22 earned it's money this night.
Smoke and haze filled the fire scene.
Captain 22 reports back to command.
Exhausted firefighters prepare to depart in the pre-dawn hours.