Firefighters Battle Stubborn Mobile Home Fire in West Grove
 
By Firefighter/EMT Bill Wohl
April 20, 2014
 

Firefighters from the West Grove Fire Company and surrounding companies battled a mobile home fire just outside West Grove borough in London Grove township Saturday evening. The mobile home sustained heavy damage, but there were no significant injuries.

WGFC firefighters were dispatched at 9:16pm for a mobile home fire on Chestnut Road. Avondale 23 was also on the original dispatch to assist. When Deputy 22 responded, Chester County Fire Radio advised that there were multiple exposures, including cars and nearby mobile homes as close as 10-20 feet away from the fire building.

Additional information from Fire Radio indicated the potential for a confirmed fire. Deputy 22 requested the Working Fire Dispatch (which brings a full building fire response). Cochranville 27 was alerted for a RIT Team (Rapid Intervention), Oxford 21 was dispatched for an Engine, also called were Medic 94 for advanced life support and the Chester County Fire Marshals, and the WGFC and Avondale companies were re-alerted.

Meanwhile Ladder 22 responded, along with Engine 23-2 from Avondale. Deputy 22 arrived to confirm the working fire and established Chestnut Road Command.

Ladder 22 arrived and deployed a 1-3/4 attack line. Engine 22 responded to the scene and laid a 5" supply line from the hydrant at the entrance of the mobile home park, while Engine 23-2 established a water supply to Ladder 22 and deployed a second 1-3/4 inch attack line. Ambulances from 22 and 23 arrived to care for the homeowner (who had evacuated the fire building on his own) and establish a re-hab sector.

Engine 12 from New London and Rescue 22 made responses, as did Engine 32 from Landenberg. Each Engine arrived and sent crews forward to join the manpower pool of firefighters. Crews made aggressive interior attacks and began an extensive overhaul of the structure.

Rescue 27 arrived and established the RIT team. Rescue 21 arrived and joined the firefighting effort. Ambulance 23-2 transported one to Jennersville Hospital to be checked for minor smoke inhalation. Crews were rotated out to the ambulance crews to be checked before returning to the manpower pool.

Chestnut Road Command declared the fire under control at 1001pm with all units working. Extensive overhaul to find all hot spots continued for another 90 minutes. Units cleared to return to their stations for clean up at 1142pm.
 
Units: Ladder 22, Engine 22, Rescue 22, Engine 12, Engine 32, Ambulance 12-1, Fire Police
 
Mutual Aid: Engine 23-2, Rescue 23, Rescue 21, Rescue 27, Medic 194-1, Ambulance 23-2, Fire Marshals 101 & 102, PECO
 
Crews used extensive overhaul to expose pockets of fire.
Crews used extensive overhaul to expose pockets of fire.
 
This is "Side B" showing damage from the fire and overhaul results.
This is "Side B" showing damage from the fire and overhaul results.
 
Rehab sector here with crews from 22 and 94.
Rehab sector here with crews from 22 and 94.
 
Rescue 27's crew standing by on the B Side as the RIT Team.
Rescue 27's crew standing by on the B Side as the RIT Team.
 
Rehab and Command
Rehab and Command
 
Ladder 22 pulled just past the scene and established the first attack line.
Ladder 22 pulled just past the scene and established the first attack line.
 
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View from Ladder 22 of the B Side of the fire building.
View from Ladder 22 of the B Side of the fire building.
 
The mobile home suffered extensive damage.
The mobile home suffered extensive damage.
 
Side A of the structure where the manpower pool was operating.
Side A of the structure where the manpower pool was operating.
 
Views of the burn areas and interior construction.
Views of the burn areas and interior construction.
 
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Fire crews make entry with heavy smoke and fire visible.
Fire crews make entry with heavy smoke and fire visible.
 
Crews prepare to enter the structure.
Crews prepare to enter the structure.
 
A mobile home suffered extensive damage as crews from the West Grove Fire Company and surrounding companies battled a stubborn fire in London Grove Township, on the eastern edge of West Grove. This is a view of the fire burning in the "A-B corner" as Engine 23-2 has stretched the second line.
A mobile home suffered extensive damage as crews from the West Grove Fire Company and surrounding companies battled a stubborn fire in London Grove Township, on the eastern edge of West Grove. This is a view of the fire burning in the "A-B corner" as Engine 23-2 has stretched the second line.