Just after 2300 hours on August 7, Stations 51 and 53 were dispatched to South Darlington Street and Holly Alley in West Chester for a house fire. Multiple calls to Chester County 911 advised that the rear of a house was on fire with multiple explosions. A West Chester Police officer in the area quickly arrived on location and updated the address to the 100 Block of West Union Street, reporting a working house fire with a dog trapped inside. Chester County Fire Board advised Chief 53 of the report, who upgraded the assignment to a Working Fire Dispatch, adding Station 52 and Engine 56 for RIT.

Assistant 51 was the first to arrive from the Department, confirming a three-story end of the row with fire showing on side D from the second floor. Engine 51-1, staffed with five volunteers, arrived immediately behind Assistant 51 and stretched a hand-line for an interior attack. As the crew from Engine 51-1 began to advance to the second floor, heavy fire conditions were encountered and quickly extinguished. Assistant 52 arrived and established the “Union Street Command”. Additional WCFD units began to arrive and assist with fire suppression, search, and ventilation. Assistant 51 was able to locate the trapped dog on the second floor which had unfortunately already succumbed to the smoke.

Command placed the fire under control at 2329 hours with all units working. An additional engine from Station 39 responded and assisted with manpower. The Chester County Fire Marshal’s office responded to the scene to investigate the fire. Engine 36 relocated to Station 51 to cover the local. Final WCFD units cleared the scene at 0153 hours.