West Grove Assists 21with Lower Oxford Township House Fire
Engine 21-1 and Tanker 21 supplied Engine 12.
Engine 21-1 and Tanker 21 supplied Engine 12.
 
Crews begin the process of putting Engine 12 back in service after the fire was declared out.
Crews begin the process of putting Engine 12 back in service after the fire was declared out.
 
400 feet of large diameter supply line was laid by Engine 12 down the driveway.
400 feet of large diameter supply line was laid by Engine 12 down the driveway.
 
West Grove crews repack 400 feet of large diameter hose back on Engine 12.
West Grove crews repack 400 feet of large diameter hose back on Engine 12.
 
The WGFC was dispatched to assist Oxford 21 on a fire in this home on Elkview Road in Lower Oxford Township. The fire was contained to a second floor bedroom and bathroom, with no injuries.
The WGFC was dispatched to assist Oxford 21 on a fire in this home on Elkview Road in Lower Oxford Township. The fire was contained to a second floor bedroom and bathroom, with no injuries.
 
Positive pressure fans were used to clear the residence of smoke.
Positive pressure fans were used to clear the residence of smoke.
 
The manpower pool on the front lawn after the fire was declared under control.
The manpower pool on the front lawn after the fire was declared under control.
 
22 and 21 crews work in the heat to pull and repack the supply line.
22 and 21 crews work in the heat to pull and repack the supply line.
 
"First in" Engine 12 deployed a 1-3/4" pre-connected attack line to the second floor for this fire.
"First in" Engine 12 deployed a 1-3/4" pre-connected attack line to the second floor for this fire.
 
The fire in the bathroom required units to open up the walls to check for extension.
The fire in the bathroom required units to open up the walls to check for extension.
 
 
By Firefighter/EMT Bill Wohl
July 12, 2014
 

In the middle of a hot and humid Saturday afternoon, the West Grove Fire Company (12, 22, 32) was dispatched to assist the Union Fire Company of Oxford (21) on a reported house fire on Elkview Road, near the intersection of Kimble Road in Lower Oxford Township.

Engine 21-1 and Engine 12 responded quickly, along with Assistant Chief 21. Units were advised that the residents had evacuated and were reporting fire in the second floor bedroom.

Assistant Chief 21 went on location with a single family dwelling with nothing showing. After his initial size up, he reported smoke showing on the A side, and directed Engine 12 to come up the driveway to his position, pulling forward to leave room for Ladder 21. As the initially-arriving apparatus, Engine 12 laid a five inch supply line 400 feet up the driveway and deployed an 1-3/4" attack line with two firefighters in the front door.

Additional responding units were Engine 22, Engine 32, Squad 22, Engine 21-2 and Engine 21-4, Ladder 21, Tanker 21 and Ambulance 21-1.

Assistant Chief 21 then updated the report, indicating a working fire on the second floor and requested a "working fire dispatch" and assumed Elkview Command. He directed Engine 21-1 to supply Engine 12, and Ladder 21 to pull up the driveway and fully ladder all windows.

The working fire dispatch brought units from Cochranville (27) and Medic 94, as well as re-dispatched 21 and 12/22/32.

Work by the initial fire crew was successful as the hand line to the master bedroom and bathroom knocked down the fire and crews began ventilating smoke and looking for any fire extension. Assistant 21 quickly declared the fire under control and recalled the working fire dispatch units (except for 94).

Units worked to clear the house of any smoke, assist in the investigation, and crews began to take up hose and supply lines, and equipment and ladders. The combination of hot sun and humid conditions meant firefighters needed water and re-hab, provided by the ambulance crews.

Units were back in station and completing clean up in about two hours.
 
Units: Engine 12, Engine 22, Engine 32, Squad 22
 
Mutual Aid: Engines 21-1, -2, and -4, Ladder 21, Tanker 21, Ambulance 21-1, 21 Fire Police, Avondale State Police, Chester Counter Fire Marshal