Back to Back Fires in West Bradford Township
 
By Captain Justin McClure
December 24, 2017
 

Just after noon on December 23, Station 51 was dispatched for both engines as part of the house fire assignment with Station 39 to the 1000 block of Appleville Road in West Bradford Township. Calls to Chester County 911 reported a fire on the porch of the home. Chief 39 arrived on location and reported a mobile home well involved, requesting two additional tankers. Engine 51-2 arrived as the second due engine and began fire suppression efforts. Engine 51-1 arrived as the fourth due engine and assisted crews with opening up. Captain 51 was assigned as the operations officer. All crews worked to bring the fire under control at 12:44 hours. Station 51 units cleared the scene shortly after 14:00 hours.

At 06:07 hours on December 24, Station 51 was again dispatched for both engines with Station 39 for the house fire in the 1400 block of W Strasburg Road in West Bradford Township. The caller reported the front porch of the residence on fire. Engine 51-2 arrived as the second due engine, secured a water supply, and assisted with fire suppression efforts at the front of the structure. Engine 51-1 arrived as the third due engine and set up in the rear, preparing for master stream operations. With fire throughout multiple floors, crews began with a defensive attack. Engine 51-1 was utilized as an elevated waterway. Assistant 51 arrived and was assigned as the operations officer. Once the bulk of the fire was extinguished, an offensive operation was attempted but abandoned due to the interior of the structure being compromised. The fire was placed under control at 07:44 hours. Station 51 units were released from the scene at 08:28 hours.

No firefighter or civilian injuries were reported at either fire. Both incidents are under investigation by the Chester County Fire Marshals Office. A special thank you to the members of Station 06 who relocated an engine to Station 51 during both fires.

 
Units: WCFD units operating at both incidents; AST51, ENG511, ENG512, ENG522, LAD53, RES53, AIR52, SQD51, BRU51