First-In Crew's Efforts Limit Damage at Guernsey Road House Fire Despite Heavy Fire Showing

On a foggy and rainy Friday evening at 9:20pm, the West Grove Fire Company was dispatched for a reported house fire on North Guernsey Road, near Route 41. The initial dispatched called for WGFC units (Stations 12, 22 and 32), and two engines from the Cochranville Fire Company (Station 27).

The Chester County 911 Center reported that a neighbor spotted flames on the back outside of the house, nobody was apparently home in the house on fire, and he was trying to locate the family dogs. He also reported smoke from the roof of the house.

The first responding apparatus was Engine 22 four minutes later, along with Ambulance 22-1. Shortly thereafter, Engines 27-2, Engine 12, Engine 27-5, Ladder 22, Rescue 12, Tanker 22, Engine 32, and Rescue 27 responded. All units would find heavy fog conditions enroute.

At 9:29pm, Engine 22 arrived in scene and reported fire through the roof, and requested a "Working Fire Dispatch" be issued by Chester County Fire Radio (which upgrades the alarms and brings additional units to the scene). Engine 22 established Guernsey Road Command and went into service with a 1-3/4" pre-connected line, fighting heavy fire coming from the upper side of the house on the "B" side and in the rear.

Due to the Working Fire Dispatch, units from the Avondale Fire Company (Station 23), and the Union Fire Company of Oxford (Station 21) were dispatched along with an advanced life support unit from Medic 94, the County fire marshals and Utilities.

The first in crew from Engine 22 worked to knock down a good deal of the fire while Tanker 22 arrived and supplemented the water supply. Brush 12, Fire Marshals FM-102 and FM-103, Medic 94-1, and Engine 23-2 also responded and Chief 22 arrived on the scene.

Given the fire load and rural location, a first alarm Tanker Task Force was requested to bring additional water tankers to the scene. This added a dispatch for Tanker 23, Tanker 21, Tanker 36 (Unionville), Tanker 24 (Kennett) and Tanker 19 (Hockessin). Ambulance 22-2 also responded along with Rescue 21 which was responding as a RIT unit (Rapid Intervention Team).

Engine 32 dropped off its crew at the fire scene, and then relocated back down Guernesy Road near the Route 1 Bypass at a fire hydrant to establish a fill site for fire tankers and engines.

The initial fire crew, having knocked down the fire, was supplemented by the arriving additional engines, pulling ceilings, external siding and other materials to get at the seat of the fire, which the crews managed to mostly limited to the attic spaces. Crews also used tarps and covers to protect the clothing and belongings and property on the main floor of this ranch house. The quick response and work by the initial engine crew resulted in much personal property being preserved, along with the main structure of the house, even with heavy fire conditions above.

At 10:15pm, 55 minutes after the initial dispatch, the fire was declared under control. The RIT assignment was handled by Rescue 27 and Rescue 21 and many of the water tankers were returned. Units continued working on scene assuring all pockets of fire were handled. Firefighting foam was applied to assure full extinguishment. Units were steadily released by command through this period, with many units returning from the scene at approximately 11:20pm. The last WGFC units cleared the scene just after 1:00am, returning to the stations to clean hose and trucks and put all units into service.

There were no injuries in this fire, and the family pets were successfully located as safe. Belfor was requested to the scene to board up and secure the residence. The Chester County Fire Marshals, along with the State Police Fire Marshal, continue their investigation as to the cause of this fire. Numerous standby companies from Lancaster and Cecil Counties assisted, putting engines, tankers and crews in West Grove's fire stations.