Storms Create Multiple Emergency Calls, House Fire in Franklin
 
January 10, 2024
 

A winter weather system featuring high wind gusts and torrential rain lead to hundreds of 911 calls across Chester County Tuesday evening, including multiple emergency dispatches for the West Grove Fire Company, one resulting in a house fire.

Weather-related calls began to flood the 911 center just after 5:00pm, with WGFC being sent for poles and wires at 5:10pm on Gypsy Hill Road at 896. At 5:19pm, a fire alarm was triggered on Radence Lane in London Grove. At 5:28pm, 911 callers reported a tree into wires at Flint Hill Road and 841 in Franklin Township. Then, at 5:30pm, calls came in for a house fire on Route 896 south of Gypsy Hill Road.

Assistant 22 had been in the area investigating calls and arrived to find a two-story house with smoke showing from the roof and upgraded the call. Units who had been assigned to other calls made the response, with units from Oxford, Cochranville, Avondale, and Singerly (Elkton) also added to the structure fire.

Ladder 22 arrived first, and crews began work to ladder the building and conduct primary searches. Rescue 22 arrived as the first due Engine and crews from the Rescue and Ladder deployed multiple hand lines. Engine 22-3 arrived and assisted with water supply, with its crew and firefighters from multiple companies joining the effort. Engine 22-2 arrived and laid a large supply line from Gypsy Hill Road down to the scene for use by Tankers from West Grove and other departments.

Crews worked together to knock down the fire which was up in the roof and second floor area. The operations were hampered by downed power lines on the scene, as well as tree limbs which were threatening to come down on firefighters as wind gusts above 30mph and heavy rain continued throughout the two-hour operation.

A water supply fill site was established at Wheatland Farms in New London Township (the closest hydrant location) for use by Tankers -- fortunately firefighters were able to knock down the blaze and water carried on the Engines on scene was sufficient for the firefight, with just under 4,000 gallons of water utilized. Fire Police had Route 896 closed throughout the fire.

During the house fire, a smoke detector call was handled in London Grove Township at 6:09pm, a poles/wires call was handled in Penn Township at 7:10pm, and another poles/wires call in Penn Township was handled at 9:17pm. Numerous ambulance calls were also handled in the district during the storm period.
 
Units: Ladder 22, Rescue 22, Engine 22-3, Engine 22-1, Engine 22-2, Tanker 22, Utility 22-3, Ambulances 1 & 2, Fire Police
 
Mutual Aid: Oxford 21, Avondale 23, Cochranville 27, Singerly (13 Elkton), Chester County Fire Marshal, Avondale State Police
 
Ladders set up to provide egress for the second floor bedrooms where the fire was located.
Ladders set up to provide egress for the second floor bedrooms where the fire was located.
 
This large limb fell into power lines and may have sparked a house fire along Route 896 in Franklin Twp. handled by WGFC and area fire companies.
This large limb fell into power lines and may have sparked a house fire along Route 896 in Franklin Twp. handled by WGFC and area fire companies.
 
Crews open up walls along the roof line searching for fire extension.
Crews open up walls along the roof line searching for fire extension.
 
Engine 22-3, Singerly Engine 12, Avondale Engine 23-2, and Ladder 22 all positioned along Route 896 during the incident. Water from all three Engines was used for the fire.
Engine 22-3, Singerly Engine 12, Avondale Engine 23-2, and Ladder 22 all positioned along Route 896 during the incident. Water from all three Engines was used for the fire.
 
Rescue 22 supplied the fire fighting operation with two handlines. The scene was complicated by downed power lines and falling limbs overhead.
Rescue 22 supplied the fire fighting operation with two handlines. The scene was complicated by downed power lines and falling limbs overhead.
 
Crews work inside and outside to locate and extinguish the fire.
Crews work inside and outside to locate and extinguish the fire.