Penn Township Business Damaged by Fire
 
By Secretary Bill Wohl
October 22, 2017
 

A passerby reported smoke from a garage, located on the property of a mini-storage company on Kelton Road in Penn Township Sunday morning.

Just before 11:00 am, the West Grove Fire Company was alerted for a possible building fire on Kelton Road. Also on the initial dispatch were units from Oxford and Avondale. First to arrive was a West Grove FC fire police lieutenant who reported smoke from the eaves. Engines 22-1 and 22-2 responded, along with Ladder 22.

Engine 22-2 arrived at the entrance, and, on the report of smoke from the eaves, began laying 5" large diameter hose from Kelton Road back to the fire building, confirming smoke from the eaves and establishing Kelton Road Command. By this time, Engine 22-3 and ambulances from West Grove and Oxford had responded, along with Engine 21-4 from Oxford. After a walk around the building, Command requested a working fire dispatch -- bringing units from Cochranville and Medic 94 to the assignment.

Engine 22-2's crew stretched a pre-connected 1-3/4" to a doorway on the north west corner of the building. Assisted by Engine 22-1's crew, it was determined to better attack the fire at the east side of the building. A second 300' pre-connect was pulled for this evolution, with crews raising a roll up door and attacking the main body of fire located just inside the door.

Ladder 22 had arrived, and established a position on the building's west side in case the access to the roof was needed. Engine 22-1 picked up the five inch line and established a water supply at the hydrant located 300' west of the complex entrance. Almost 1000 feet of large diameter hose was charged as a water supply.

The fire was quickly knocked down, with high heat conditions noted on the second floor of the metal sided building. A second of the wall on the second floor west side was removed to allow for heat and smoke venting.

The fire was declared quickly under control soon after. Ambulance crews checked all interior firefighters, and provided water on the unusually warm late October afternoon. There were no firefighter or civilian injuries. Fire police from West Grove and Avondale had area roads closed. Cochrnaville's crew not only had the RIT assignment, but also filled firefighter air bottles at the scene.

Crews picked up and were back in service in about 2.5 hours.

 
Units: Engines 22-1, 22-2, 22-3, Ladder 22, Ambulance 22, Squad 22, Fire Police
 
Mutual Aid: Engine 21-4, Rescue 27, Avondale Ambulance, Avondale Fire Police, Chester County Fire Marshal