West Grove Engine Assists on 3-alarm fire in Darby PA

 
By Firefighter/EMT Lisa Glass
April 14, 2013
 

An early morning grocery store fire in Darby, PA, turned into three alarms quickly. Due to the extent of the fire, and the collapse of the building, a continuous stream of water was needed for a long period of time to fully extinguish the flames and allow large equipment to tear what was left down.

West Grove assisted in this endeavor, sending an Engine crew of four to assist with master stream operations overnight. Engine 22 responded and pumped an average of 1000 gpm, supplied from a direct hydrant hook up for 6 1/2 hours. Tower 44, Springfield, as well as Parkside and Milbourne Fire Companies were there overnight as well.
 
Units: Engine 22
 
Mutual Aid: Darby Fire Company, Parkside Fire Company, Springfield Fire Company, Milbourne and Boothyn Fire Company
 
FF Chuck Foy Jr., FF Lisa Glass, Asst. Engineer Tom Glass, Lt. Norman Forde
FF Chuck Foy Jr., FF Lisa Glass, Asst. Engineer Tom Glass, Lt. Norman Forde
Lt. Forde talking with an officer from Darby about where the fire still was active.
Lt. Forde talking with an officer from Darby about where the fire still was active.
 
Asst. Engineer Glass raising the light tower...
Asst. Engineer Glass raising the light tower...
FF Foy and Lt Forde setting up the water stream
FF Foy and Lt Forde setting up the water stream
 
An Excavator operating to the rear of the building in the collapsed zone.
An Excavator operating to the rear of the building in the collapsed zone.
Parkside engine supplying the ladder pipe.
Parkside engine supplying the ladder pipe.
 
Springfield tower getting into position.
Springfield tower getting into position.
A look inside the store, where the ceiling collapsed, and the I beam is still intact with three large billboards above.
A look inside the store, where the ceiling collapsed, and the I beam is still intact with three large billboards above.
 
Springfield ladder in service. Supplied by Parkside.
Springfield ladder in service. Supplied by Parkside.
Looking down Main Street where West Grove is positioned, notice the Trolly Tracks and multiple wires over head.
Looking down Main Street where West Grove is positioned, notice the Trolly Tracks and multiple wires over head.
 
Another view, notice the billboards still upright, but most of side B has been knocked down, and side C collapsed on its own. Side D and A still standing.
Another view, notice the billboards still upright, but most of side B has been knocked down, and side C collapsed on its own. Side D and A still standing.
Fire was in the A-D corner, under the collapse area. We only had a small window to try and aim the water into.
Fire was in the A-D corner, under the collapse area. We only had a small window to try and aim the water into.
 
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At 0125, there was still a good amouont of fire and smoke.
At 0125, there was still a good amouont of fire and smoke.
 
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No Caption
 
FF Glass with the hose line in service.
FF Glass with the hose line in service.