At 1430 hours, April 27, Station 52 was dispatched for a smoke investigation outside in the area of the Lambert Skate Park on Pottstown Pike in West Goshen Township. The caller stated she saw a large column of smoke to the east of her location. Assistants 51 and 53 responded and, noting a growing smoke column from a large wooded area, added Brush 51 to the assignment. The Chiefs and Engine 52-2 arrived in the area and began to investigate.
Brush 51 responded and was directed by Assistant 51 to respond to the Jerrehian Estate on Phoenixville Pike north of the Route 322 Bypass. Arriving on the property Brush 51 and the West Goshen Police Department located a large woods fire, approximately 3 acres in size, in the middle of the 500 acre Estate. Lt McClure advised the Chiefs of the situation and requested additional Brush trucks and a redispatch for the full company out of Station 51 for manpower.
As Brush 51 and Engine 52-2 began containment, Assistant 53 arrived and established the "Phoenixville Pike Command". Assistant 51 then arrived on scene and established Operations. Additional apparatus and manpower arrived on the scene the fire was contained to 5 acres. Chief 51, Assistant 52, and Captain Green on Engine 51-2 arrived and assisted the command staff. The fire was placed under control at 1532 hours.
Representatives from DCNR District 17 and the State Forestry office were contacted and responded to the scene. Station 55 Ambulance provided rehab for the crews. Additional companies responded to standby in Stations 51 and 52. Station 53 was also placed on standby in their station.
A special thank you to West End Towing for assisting with Brush 51 after it sustained a flat tire in the middle of the woods and one of the residents of the property for use of their ATV. Final units cleared the scene at 1818 hours.
Members of Station 51 are part of the District 17 wildland crew and respond to large wildland fires both in District 17 and across the Commonwealth.
