| Crews from multiple companies responded to assist the Avondale Fire Company for a major fire at an apartment house on Starr Road in New Garden township. Despite initial reports of as many as five persons trapped, all residents were accounted for, there were no injuries, but 40 residents lost their homes and belongings.
Units from the West Grove Fire Company (12, 22, 32) and Hockessin Fire Company (19) were called to assist Avondale Fire Company (23) at 9:39am for a reported fire. Immediately after, Chester County Fire Radio upgraded the assignment with Medic 94 for subjects reported possibly trapped. Callers were indicating as many as 4-5 people were still in apartments, some on the third floor.
Less than one minute after dispatch, New Garden police officers arrived and reported smoke showing. Ambulance 23-2 arrived reporting smoke pushing out all sides. A working fire dispatch was initiated at 9:45am.
The WFD added units to the call: 19 for a rescue and tanker, Kennett (24) for and engine and ambulance, the county fire marshals, Longwood 25 for an engine, Unionville 36 for a rescue for the RIT assignment, and numerous other units.
Avondale units responded immediately, with Squad 23 arriving with the company engine, reporting heavy fire from the B side, with an active search on the second floor underway.
West Grove responded with Engine 22 and Engine 32 and Chief 22. Chief 22 arrived and assumed the Operations sector, with Avondale establishing overall command.
Hockessin's first engine 19-5 laid a five inch supply line to the scene from a nearby hydrant to supply the fire attack.
Due to rapidly deteriorating conditions due to very heavy fire, Command requested all firefighters to evacuate the structure at 9:58 hours and undertake a defensive attack. A second alarm was also declared, calling additional units to the scene.
In addition to numerous hand lines from the initial attack, Command ordered Ladder 25 to be positioned to D side for elevated master stream placement. Ground master streams were also positioned by crews on the B-C and C-D corners. Ladder 22 was positioned on the B side and put its ladder pipe in service. Given the collapse of the roof and heavy fire, collapse zones were established to assure firefighter safety.
To supplement the hydrant supply, a water tanker shuttle was established on scene, with tankers shuttling from a portable tank on site and refilling at Station 23 nearby.
Interviews by police and fire marshals finally accounted for all of the 40 residents of the apartments, with a shelter being established for the residents by Ambulance 23-1 at a nearby church. The Red Cross was dispatched to the shelter to begin supporting the displaced residents.
After considerable master stream application, the fire was declared under control with all units working at 12:25 pm.
In addition to moving units up during the incident, standby crews were also used to wrap up hose and help put units back in service. The last units cleared the scene at approximately 2:30pm
For more coverage of this fire see:
http://avondalefirecompany.org/?p=1756
http://www.dailylocal.com/article/20130425/NEWS01/130429701/fire-destroys-new-garden-apartment
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/video?id=9079319&pid=9079120
Thanks to Steve Nuse, Eric Felker, and Lisa Glass for photos. Thanks also to the standby companies (not listed) and Belfor for on-scene support, and to the New Garden Police for crowd control. |
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