Commercial Fire Assist in Longwood
 
May 28, 2024
 

A fire in the Red Sombrero restaurant in Longwood drew a response from many area fire departments Tuesday morning, including a ladder and engine from the West Grove Fire Company.

The WGFC was dispatched for a ladder to assist the Longwood Fire Company at 7:37am, joining units from other departments. A passer by picking up coffee from the neighboring Starbucks noticed black smoke coming from Red Sombrero and contacted 911. First arriving units reported smoke showing from the restaurant, and fire was coming from the roof after first responders opened up the ceiling to attack a working fire in the ductwork above the kitchen.

WGFC's Ladder 22 took the roof on the Old Baltimore Pike side of the building, with Engine 22-1's firefighters joining the manpower pool. Units were on the scene for approximately two hours.

(Our thanks to various departments for the pictures.)
 
Units: Ladder 22, Engine 22-1
 
Mutual Aid: Longwood 25, Kennett Square 24, Po-Mar-Lin 36, Concordville 59, West Chester 51, County Fire Marshal.)
 
Damage to the restaurant is shown after crews opened up the ceiling to extinguish fire in the ventilation system above the kitchen and dining areas.
Damage to the restaurant is shown after crews opened up the ceiling to extinguish fire in the ventilation system above the kitchen and dining areas.
 
First arriving Longwood units reported smoke from the building.
First arriving Longwood units reported smoke from the building.
 
Fire vents from the roof as crews opened up to find the seat of the fire.
Fire vents from the roof as crews opened up to find the seat of the fire.
 
Ladder 22 setting up on the building's south side.
Ladder 22 setting up on the building's south side.
 
Units from Longwood and West Grove are pictured at the fire scene today in Longwood at the Red Sombrero.
Units from Longwood and West Grove are pictured at the fire scene today in Longwood at the Red Sombrero.