Fire companies across southern Chester County and Newark, Delaware and Elkton, Maryland were dispatched to support the West Grove Fire Company for a reported building fire in Franklin Township on Friday, May 17, just after 10:30 PM. The WGFC call was for fire in the area of 896 and Good Hope Road. Assisting WGFC on the initial dispatch were the fire companies from Oxford, Cochranville, Avondale, Newark and Elkton. The initial caller said a house or barn was on fire several hundred feet off of Route 896.

While responding, the 911 Center reported the fire to possibly be near the intersection of 896 and Indiantown Roads in London Britain Township. Responding firefighters responding to Station 222 noted a brush/debris fire approximately 20 x 20 feet, just 200 yards north of the station, at Indiantown Road and 896.

Ladder 22 made the initial response from West Grove, followed by Engine 22-3 based in London Britain. That Engine arrived and pulled up into a construction site, where a large pile of tree trunks and debris was burning. The Engine crew established scene lighting, put a 1-3/4” attack line in service and established a water supply line out to Route 896. Crews from Engine 22-2 arrived to assist and begin putting water on the fire.

Tanker 22 arrived to complete the water supply. Other responding units were recalled as the fire was manageable by the two Engines and Tanker. Units remained on scene for about 45 minutes, and then had about 30 minutes of cleaning muddy hose and loading hose line back on Engine 22-3. Fire police assisted with traffic control.