WGFC Assists Oxford on House Fire
 
May 23, 2023
 

Fire companies from across Chester, Lancaster and Cecil Counties worked to extinguish a house fire in East Nottingham Township on Monday evening. The farm house was a near total loss.

West Grove firefighters were just getting back to their stations after Monday evening training around 8:30pm when pagers sounded for a house fire with the Union Fire Company of Oxford 21 on Pugh Road. The reporting caller to the Chester County 911 Center reported a house fire with everyone now outside and then the line disconnected.

The arriving officer from 21 reported fire on the B-side (left side) of the home and upgraded the assignment to a "working fire dispatch" which added multiple units. The first in engine was instructed to lay a line into the scene. A line was laid from the intersection of Pugh and Woods Roads, and firefighters ultimately put three attack lines in service along with elevated master streams from Ladder 21. Fire was present on all floors of the three-story residence, and through the roof.

The WGFC responded with Ladder 22, Engine 22-1, Tanker 22, Rescue 22, Engine 22-3 and both Utility trucks. A portable water tank was set up in the intersection with Engine 21-4 drafting. Tanker 22 provided initial water supply down the 5-inch supply line. 22 firefighters made the walk down Pugh Road to assist the 21 crews on the fire attack with their work extending approximately 2.5 hours.

An initial water supply operation was set up at a pond on Hilltop Road, but was then shifted to the closest hydrant six minutes away from the fire scene at the Oxford High School where WGFC Engine 22-3 set up a tanker fill operation. Seven tankers were filled at the High School supplying approximately 25,000 gallons of water to the water supply operation, which was coordinated by Asst. Chief 22A. Tankers from Oxford, West Grove, Po-Mar-Lin (Unionville), Rising Sun and Kinzer (Paradise, Lancaster County) were utilized for a tanker shuttle.

WGFC units returned to quarters around 11pm.

(Some pictures credited to the Union Fire Company of Oxford).
 
Units: Ladder 22, Tanker 22, Engine 22-1, Rescue 22, Engine 22-3, Utility 22-1, Utility 22-3
 
Mutual Aid: Multiple units from Oxford 21, Rising Sun 8, Po-Mar-Lin 36, Kinzer 4-5, Medic 94, Chester County Fire Marshall
 
Fire vents through the roof in this shot taken from the intersection of Push and Woods Roads at the water supply operation.
Fire vents through the roof in this shot taken from the intersection of Push and Woods Roads at the water supply operation.
 
Ladder 21's aerial sits above the heavily damaged house.
Ladder 21's aerial sits above the heavily damaged house.
 
Ladders are thrown to every window early in the incident with fire showing on each floor.
Ladders are thrown to every window early in the incident with fire showing on each floor.
 
Firefighters working at all levels of this 3-story home.
Firefighters working at all levels of this 3-story home.
 
WGFC assisted Oxford on this Pugh Road house fire in East Nottingham Township.
WGFC assisted Oxford on this Pugh Road house fire in East Nottingham Township.
 
Heavy fire showing as units arrived on Pugh Road.
Heavy fire showing as units arrived on Pugh Road.
 
Fire damage is evident in this image.
Fire damage is evident in this image.
 
Tanker 21 getting refilled at the High School fill site.
Tanker 21 getting refilled at the High School fill site.
 
Engine 22-3 set up a tanker fill site at the Oxford High School and filled seven tankers.
Engine 22-3 set up a tanker fill site at the Oxford High School and filled seven tankers.
 
Firefighters at the scene.
Firefighters at the scene.
 
Firefighters standby as Oxford's Ladder begins water pipe operations to knock down fire on the collapsed roof.
Firefighters standby as Oxford's Ladder begins water pipe operations to knock down fire on the collapsed roof.
 
The view from Ladder 22 as it arrives on scene, showing fire from the roof.
The view from Ladder 22 as it arrives on scene, showing fire from the roof.
 
In this incredible photo, the first-in hose line crew from Oxford makes entry into the house with heavy fire conditions present.
In this incredible photo, the first-in hose line crew from Oxford makes entry into the house with heavy fire conditions present.
 
Crews make entry with fire overhead.
Crews make entry with fire overhead.
 
This photo shows crews making entry on two sides of the home with heavy fire conditions present.
This photo shows crews making entry on two sides of the home with heavy fire conditions present.