Engine 21-2 was among the dozen-plus apparatus that responded to this incident.
Engine 22-1 laid in a supply line, advanced an attack line to the third floor, and connected to the building standpipe system in case of an actual fire.
Ladder 22 has deployed its aerial ladder to the roof on the “C” side (the rear of the high school).
April 26, 2023
What at first appeared to be a routine automatic fire alarm at the new high school turned into something more Wednesday afternoon, with area fire companies responding for reports of smoke in the building.
Just after 1:30pm, the West Grove Fire Company was dispatched for an automatic alarm at the new Avon Grove High School in Jennersville, Penn Township. A few minutes later, it was reported that the school was being evacuated with smoke on the third floor.
The WGFC responded to the automatic alarm, and, with reports of smoke on the third floor, the alarm was upgraded to a building fire. That dispatch added units from fire companies from Oxford 21, Cochranville 27, Avondale 23, Po-Mar-Lin (Unionville) 36, Kennett Square 24, Longwood 25 and Quarryville 57.
Engine 22-1 was the first due engine and entered the building to investigate the smoke reports on the third floor, with Ladder 22 setting up to the rear with firefighters going to the roof. Additional arriving units added manpower to efforts to investigate the situation.
Ultimately, it was determined that the fire alarm activation was caused by smoke from a chemistry experiment. After the WGFC investigation, there were no hazards found, and, fortunately, no injuries.
