At 1101 hours on the hot and muggy morning of July 14, the Avondale Fire Company (23) was alerted to the 200 block of Ellicott Road in New Garden Township for a pile of hay bales on fire. Engine 23-2 went on location with approximately 800 hay bales on fire in the the middle of the pile. Close to the burning bales was a much larger pile of bales that were unaffected by the fire. Deputy 23 established "Ellicott Command", advising they had two lines in service and also requesting two additional Tankers be dispatched, bringing in West Grove's Tanker 22 and Tanker 25 from Longwood. Tanker 22 went responding seconds later and proceeded to the scene. Engine 22-2 was also dispatched to relocate to Station 23, along with Tanker 36. Upon arrival to Station 23, Engine 2 was advised to help fill tankers from the hydrant located next to the firehouse.

Employees, from the business where the fire was located, worked diligently to use front end loaders to remove the unaffected bales to prevent the fire from spreading to the much larger pile.

Units were in service for nearly 5 hours, working to control the fire from spreading to nearby exposures.

While on standby, Engine 22-2 and Tanker 36 handled several alarms in Avondale's district.

For pictures, visit the link below:
http://www.dailylocal.com/general-news/20160714/massive-hay-fire-in-new-garden-sends-one-firefighter-to-the-hospital