Just past 11pm Thursday evening, the West Grove Fire Company was dispatched for a house fire in New London Township. Initial reports suggested a smoke condition throughout the house, with no flames visible. With the house fire dispatch, units from Oxford, Avondale and Cochranville were also dispatched.

Captain 22A arrived on location to find a residence along Route 896 with smoke showing. His initial 360 evaluation uncovered a likely basement fire, and he updated his report to indicate a basement fire with smoke now coming from the eaves.

First in Engine, Rescue 22, responded from the nearby New London station. That crew arrived and stretched a 1-3/4" attack line to the residence. Crews put on air packs and went into the basement with thermal imaging cameras to try and locate the source of the fire. They found a fully smoke-charged basement with no heat detected.

Meanwhile, additional WGFC units responded including Ladder 22, Engine 22-1, Engine 22-3, Tanker 22, Ambulances and the Fire Police. Ladder 22 arrived as the first due special and began laddering the building and assisting the Rescue 22 crew. Tanker 22 was available as a source of water. Avondale Engine 23-2 arrived at Olympia Avenue and Route 896, laying a 5" supply line from the hydrant at that location 1,250 feet to the scene. WGFC Engine 22-3 arrived as their lay began and set up the hydrant location for water supply if needed.

Tanker 23 from Avondale, Oxford Engine 21-4, Tanker 21, and Ladder 21, and Cochranville's Engine 27-1 were also responding.

Crews inside began ventilation of the smoke condition and discovered an area in the ceiling of the basement where electrical wires had burned some rafters. The fire was declared under control, and units began picking up after about 30 minutes. WGFC Fire Police, along with Traffic 23 from Avondale, had Route 896 closed during the incident. There were no injuries.