RV Fire in New Garden Township
 
November 18, 2022
 

Units from the West Grove Fire Company responded to assist Avondale along Route 41 on Thursday evening on a fire in a large RV adjacent to a home.

The Avondale Fire Company was first dispatched to a call at Basciani Mushrooms just before 9pm. That initial dispatch was upgraded quickly to a reported fire in a mobile home as Engine 23-2 responded from Avondale's fire house nearby. The call was along Route 41 in New Garden Township, just below New Garden Road. The Engine arrived and reported fire in a large RV parked right next to a home, laying a five inch supply line up the driveway.

The upgrade to the call resulted in units being dispatched from Longwood 25, Kennett Square 24, West Grove 22, and Hockessin 19 fire companies. WGFC responded with Ladder 22 and Engine 22-1, along with Engines 22-2 and 22-3 and Tanker 22.

Tanker 23 provided an immediate water supply to the fire scene, and an arriving Engine laid a supply line back to the nearest hydrant. Firefighters were faced with heavy fire in a 35' motorhome. Avondale's first in crew with a 1-3/4" attack line found heavy fire inside, and two firefighters fell through the RV floor and were removed (fortunately without injury). Two attack lines were used to fight the fire, and prevent extension into the house which was mere feet from the RV parked in the driveway. Crews used ground ladders to fight the fire from the top and sides of the RV -- which took approximately 30 minutes to fully control.

WGFC units cleared the call in about one hour.

 
Units: Ladder 22, Engines 22-1, -2, and -3, Tanker 22
 
Mutual Aid: Avondale 23-2, Rescue 23, Tanker 23 and Ambulance; Kennett Square Engine 24-1; Longwood Engine 25-2, MICU 25, and Rescue 25; Hockessin Ladder 19 and Engine; Millcreek Engine 21-2; Medic 94; and Fire Police from 23.