Multiple Companies Battle London Britain Township House Fire

The West Grove Fire Company along with mutual aid from Station 23 (Avondale Fire Company), New Castle County Station 8 (Aetna Fire Company) and New Castle County Station 19 (Hockessin Fire Company) were dispatched to 335 Indiantown Road for a reported house fire. Within minutes of dispatch, Engines 22-2, 22-3, 23-1, and Deputy 22 were responding. Upon Engine 22-3's departure from the station, Lieutenant 22 advised the County that he had a visible header of smoke from a few miles out. Due to the location of the fire, and the limited water supply in the area, Deputy 22 quickly requested the 1st alarm tanker task force which adds 5 Tankers and an Engine to the assignment. He also added the working fire dispatch which adds R.I.T (Rapid Intervention Team), an ALS Medic, a Utility response, and County Fire Marshals. Engine 22-3 arrived and reported a 2 story structure with heavy fire through the roof. Deputy 22 arrived and assumed Indiantown Command and Captain 22A was assigned Operations. Once a size up was made, it was determined the operation was going to be a defensive operation. Ladder 22 was backed into the driveway to establish an aerial master stream. Multiple hand lines and the aerial master stream were operated for close to 1.5 hours and the fire was placed under control at 6:08 PM. Crews were able to locate and treat a family pet during overhaul. The extensive salvage and overhaul process required the help of standby relief crews (which included additional Engines from 25, 31, 36, & 39). All crews finally cleared the scene around 10:00 PM. One firefighter was transported to a local hospital for treatment of a laceration. The fire is under investigation by the Chester County Fire Marshals office.