West Grove and Oxford Crews Battle Brush Fire

West Grove firefighters got an early call Saturday morning when the Company was dispatched at 7:35am for an unknown type fire in Franklin Township. The incident ultimately involved several acres of brush burning in woods in Elk Township.

The original call had a fire reported in the area of the Brothers Riding development in Franklin Township along Strickersville Road, on Benjamin Run. WGFC Engine 22-3 responded from the Landenberg station, along with Ladder 22, Tanker 22, Engine 22-2 and Rescue 22. The homeowner then explained that smoke had been seen in the woods along Strickersville in nearby Elk Township.

Units then responded from Brothers Riding further west on Strickersville Road, crossing into Elk Township where smoke was visible well back in the woods at the top of a hill. Being now in Elk Township, which is part of the fire district for neighboring Union Fire Company of Oxford, Station 21 units were added the call.

Engine 22-3's crew began to hike up the hill to the call, while additional West Grove units moved further west and found a gate that could be opened, with units able to use four wheel drive to move well back from the road to the brush fire. Brush 22 also responded and was able to make it back to the fire ground. Crews found a slow moving brush fire burning in the woods, and began using rakes and shovels to put out the fire around it's edges - also employing portable water cans.

Oxford's Brush 21 also made it out to the field, with both brush trucks employing hose lines and crews to stop the spread of the fire. ATVs from Longwood Fire Company (25) and Kennett Square (24) also arrived on scene and were used to contain the fire. Crews worked for about three hours at the scene.