Firefighters from West Grove were summoned to Maryland and Delaware yesterday on fires that have both been ruled arson. The fires occurred several hours apart on Thursday, and required the work of dozens of fire fighters to control and extinguish.

Elkton

West Grove firefighters were summoned to assist the Singerly Fire Company of Elkton on a residential fire at 7 Cherry Lane in Elkton for a reported building fire. Engines 22-1 and 22-2 responded to the blaze just before 1:30pm. First arriving units reported heavy fire showing, with fire companies from West Grove, Rising Sun, and Newark assisting Elkton. WGFC units provided a secondary water supply to the fire scene and assisted for several hours with the fire fight and overhaul.

Witnesses reported the fire and assisted in pulling a woman out of the house prior to arrival by firefighters. After an investigation, Maryland Fire Marshals judged the fire to have been set by a woman living in the home, who set multiple fires and then sat in a lawn chair on the front lawn to watch the fire destroy the property, while knowing a person was still inside the home. For details on the arson and subsequent attempted murder charges, see: https://www.wbal.com/article/511989/2/cecil-county-woman-charged-with-arson-and-attempted-murder-after-setting-her-house-on-fire .

Hockessin

Firefighters from Hockessin were summoned to the former site of the NVF Corporation east of town in Yorklyn, Delaware late Thursday afternoon. Finding a large volume of fire in a rural area without the support of fire hydrants on site, the Fire Company summoned a task force of water tankers, including multiple units from southern Chester County to join the operation. West Grove Fire Company responded with Tanker 22 at approximately 5:45 pm. Tanker 22 hauled approximately 17,500 gallons of water as part of the Tanker shuttle and was on scene for three hours.

Delaware Fire Marshals have determined the fire to be arson. For more information and pictures, see: https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2021/04/29/yorklyn-fire-building-heavily-damaged-early-thursday-morning-delaware-fires-new-castle-county/7397466002/ . (Photo credit: The News Journal)