At 0816 hrs (8:16 am), East Whiteland was dispatched to the 400 block of Lancaster Ave between Church and Sproul roads for a "wires" call. Engine 5-3 arrived on location and advised of a small brush fire along the hillside with a wire down along the train tracks. Brush 5 arrived on location with Captain 5 (B. Humphreys) who assumed Lancaster Ave Command, and requested a PECO Energy response. As the wire was along the train tracks and it wasn't clear whose wire it was and if it was energized, Amtrak and SEPTA were also notified.
Changing wind conditions compounded by a "red flag warning" allowed for rapid fire growth and spread. Until the electric wire was confirmed "dead" and shut off, there was little for firefighters to do to contain the blaze.
Once power was confirmed off, firefighters started working to extinguish the fire. Due to the fire spread, Station 4 (Malvern) was dispatched to assist.
The fire was declared contained and under control at 0910 hrs (9:10 am) and all units were clear and available by 0949 hrs (9:49 am)
