Back to Back Afternoon Fires
 
By Lieutenant Justin McClure
September 26, 2014
 

Just before 1300 hours, the West Chester Fire Department was dispatched for a reported apartment fire at the Apartments for Modern Living at 201 S Matlack Street in the Borough. Assistant 53 arrived and reported a three story apartment building with smoke showing and established the “Matlack Street Command”. Engine 52-1 and Ladder 53 arrived and began fire suppression and ventilation. Additional WCFD units arrived and assisted with the same. Crews located a fire in the kitchen of a first floor apartment. Engine 54-1 responded to the scene after covering a fire alarm in Station 52’s local and assisted with the RIT and manpower. The fire was held to the apartment of origin.

As units were clearing South Matlack Street, the Department was dispatched to the Bryn Mawr Trust Bank on Paoli Pike in West Goshen Township for a building fire. Employees reported smoke coming out of the HVAC vents inside the bank. Engine 54-1 was in the area, first to arrive, and reported a working fire. WCFD and Goshen crews worked quickly to contain the blaze within minutes. Crews cleared after operating for about an hour.

The Chester County Fire Marshal’s office responded to both incidents which are under investigation.

 
Units: Engine 51-1, Engine 52-1, Engine 53, Ladder 53, Rescue 53, Air 52, Assistant 53, FM101
 
Mutual Aid: Engine 54-1, 55 Ambulance