WGFC Assists Avondale on London Grove Garage Fire
 
By Secretary Bill Wohl
March 29, 2015
 

Explosions and a column of smoke darkened the skies near Avondale this afternoon, as a large garage caught on fire in London Grove township, requiring the response of several area fire companies, including the West Grove Fire Company.

Dispatched just before the 3pm Sunday, the initial dispatch was for an attached garage on fire, along Clay Creek Road, near the intersection with Sullivan Station Road. Assisting Avondale were WGFC, along with an engine from Kennett (24) and a RIT (rapid intervention team) from Longwood (25). First reports from the country fire radio indicated there were many callers to 911.

Responding units from Avondale and West Grove reported a large column of smoke, visible from some distance. In fact units from West Grove reported a smoke "header" visible from as far away as Station 32 in Landenberg and responding units from New London. Neighboring residents reported loud explosions and a fireball rising above the fire scene.

Avondale's officers arrived on scene confirming a working fire in a garage with risk of extension to a pool house and large home, all attached. Engine 23-1 stared a fire attack, with the chief requesting an engine lay in from the nearest hydrant at Sullivan and Clay Creek Roads. Tanker 23 established a water supply for the initial attack, with Ladder 22 entering the driveway to ladder the roof of the primary residence. Arriving crews from Avondale and Kennett assisted in the fire attack, including Engine 24-1, and Engine 12 from New London. Rescue 23 arrived, as did an ambulance from West Grove.

Engine 32 arrived and picked up the hydrant to supply Tanker 23 at the fire scene. Engine 22's crew assisted with the hydrant set up and then the crews combined to assist in the fire attack. Additional engines from 37 (Modena) and 5-2 (Christiana) were requested for manpower to help with extensive overhaul.

Due to an aggressive fire attack and the availability of a strong water supply, the fire was kept from the residence, with major damage to the garage and adjacent pool house. There were no injuries.
 
Units: Engine 12, Engine 32, Engine 22, Tanker 22, Ladder 22, Ambulance 12-1
 
Mutual Aid: Engine 23-1, Rescue 23, Tanker 23, Rescue 25, Ladder 25, Tanker 25, Engine 5-2-1, Engine 37-3, Ambulance 23-1, Chester County Fire Marshals, Medic 194-1, West Grove & Avondale Fire Police, PA State Police
 
A fire "header," or smoke column can be seen through the trees from Flint Hill and Route 896 in London Britain (as seen from the officer seat on Engine 32).
A fire "header," or smoke column can be seen through the trees from Flint Hill and Route 896 in London Britain (as seen from the officer seat on Engine 32).
 
A ready water supply was helpful, with this set up supply Engine 32 with a large diameter hose, along with two 2-1/2 connections.
A ready water supply was helpful, with this set up supply Engine 32 with a large diameter hose, along with two 2-1/2 connections.
 
Engine 32 supplied the scene from the hydrant, with Engine 22 blocking.
Engine 32 supplied the scene from the hydrant, with Engine 22 blocking.
 
Tanker 22 also provided water at the scene.
Tanker 22 also provided water at the scene.
 
Ladder 22 'has the roof' in front of the manpower pool.
Ladder 22 'has the roof' in front of the manpower pool.
 
Clay Creek Road was an apparatus parade of sorts at this fire scene.
Clay Creek Road was an apparatus parade of sorts at this fire scene.
 
A large garage was heavily damaged at this home along Clay Creek Road in London Grove, a fire which led to responses from the West Grove Fire Company, along with five other companies.
A large garage was heavily damaged at this home along Clay Creek Road in London Grove, a fire which led to responses from the West Grove Fire Company, along with five other companies.