A passerby along Lewisville Road in New London Township noticed smoke behind a house and made an important 911 call -- and a fast fire company response helped minimize fire damage on Saturday afternoon.

The West Grove Fire Company, along with units from Oxford, Avondale and Cochranville, was alerted for a dwelling fire at 4:19pm on Lewisville Road below State Road. Smoke and flames were seen behind the residence.

Engine 22-2 from the nearby New London Station responded and arrived as the first due engine, reporting what appeared to be an outside fire to the rear of the house with possible extension to the structure. Engine 2 laid a supply line up the driveway, with crews deploying a preconnected line and quickly extinguished burning bushes adjacent to the structure. Ladder 22 arrived quickly, with crews assisting Engine 2's efforts, while also laddering the building. With no residents home, crews quickly worked to enter the home and look for extension, while a crew on Engine 21-2 arrived as the second due engine and worked to remove siding in the immediate area of the fire.

Engine 22-3 and ambulance 22 arrived to assist, along with Engine 22-1. Engine 2 reported the fire under control and reduced the assignment to the apparatus on the scene. Fortunately, damage was limited to a small area adjacent to landscaping areas and the removed siding. Crews worked to assure there was no fire spread, and all units cleared the scene in about an hour.