| In the morning hours of June 22, Engine 51-2 was dispatched to relocate to Station 41, Coatesville City, while their units were fighting a fire in the 300 block of Charles Street. Engine 51-2 responded but was quickly diverted to the fire scene at the request of Command. Once on scene, the crew was directed by the Operations Officer to proceed to the 3rd floor of the fire building.
The crew from 51-2 located fire conditions in the attic area and walls and began fire suppression. Once complete their first assignment, the crew was rotated through the manpower pool and preformed salvage and over haul along with the other assisting companies. Engine 51-2 was released by Command just before 0800 hours and returned to West Chester.
The below story is taken from the Daily Local News:
BY MICHAEL N. PRICE
mprice@dailylocal.com
COATESVILLE — Three people were injured, including one firefighter, in an early morning three-alarm blaze in the 300 block of Charles Street Friday, according to fire officials.
Fire crews from the city's Bureau of Fire and fire suppression units from the Westwood and VA fire companies responded to a fire that broke out at about 4:40 a.m. in the first floor of a duplex near Charles Street and Strode Avenue. The blaze eventually spread to an adjoining home, officials said.
Two residents were hospitalized after they jumped out of a second floor window to escape the flames, officials said. A firefighter also suffered second-degree burns on his leg while battling the blaze. He was treated for his injuries and released, according to Coatesville Fire Chief Jim Lentz.
The fire was reported under control at 6:25 a.m.
Lentz said the residents survived due to the presence of smoke detectors in the home.
"The survival of the occupants in 327 Charles Street is directly attributed to working smoke detectors," Lentz said. "Without working smoke detectors, there may very likely have been a different outcome."
Free smoke detectors are available for city residents by calling 610-384-0300, extension 3111, Lentz said.
Six people were displaced by the blaze. Red Cross Philadelphia is housing a family of three, and three others are staying with family, Lentz said.
The cause of the fire is not suspicious, Lentz said. It is currently under investigation by Chester County and state police fire marshals.
Lentz said he was pleased with the work and cooperation of responding fire companies.
"Coatesville's Firefighters and the firefighters from the mutual aid companies did an outstanding job in controlling this fire that was well advanced upon arrival. The cooperation and teamwork was second to none," he said.
The Coatesville Fire Department was assisted by members of the Veterans' Affairs, Thorndale, Modena, East Brandywine, Downingtown, Parkesburg, Pomeroy, West Chester, Atglen, Honeybrook, West Whiteland, Sadsburyville, Wagontown, and Lionville fire companies and medical personnel from Medic 93. |
