Members of West Grove Fire Company and other area companies were called to assist Union Fire Company of Oxford on a house fire early Sunday morning in Elk Township.

The Chester County 911 Center was contacted about a potential chimney fire on Media Road at 1:41am, which was upgraded to a house fire due to smoke conditions throughout the residence and reports of fire spread. In addition to the request for WGFC, the dispatch added units from Elkton and Rising Sun from Cecil County, Maryland.

Oxford's first Engine arrived and laid up the driveway, reporting a smoke condition and fire behind a wood burning stove in a log-cabin-style home. Ladder 21 arrived and backed into the very narrow driveway. Tanker 21 connected to the laid line, and requested the second due Engine to complete the lay from the Hickory Hill intersection. That assignment was handled by WGFC's Rescue 22, which laid 400' of five inch supply line down to the scene, with the crew then taking the firefight up to the second floor, advancing a second 1-3/4" attack line.

Tanker 22 arrived and took the supply line at the Route 472 intersection, with additional Tankers standing by. WGFC Engine 22-3 left the scene to establish a hydrant operation for Tanker fill on Waterway Road at the Oxford High School. Ultimately, the supply line was not charged, and Tanker 22 moved down to the scene and stood by with Tanker 21 as an available water supply -- very little water was utilized for this fire scene.

Crews from Oxford made quick work of the fire, with Oxford and WGFC crews then working to open up walls and check for extension. This work was complicated by fire damage to the large wood beam supporting the second floor. A mechanical strut from Cochranville's Rescue was used to support the second floor, and crews spent nearly 90 minutes exhausting many saws to open up around the stone chimney on both floors and exterior to assure there was no additional fire spread.

Crews began picking up around 430am, with no injuries reported.