| Shortly after 10 am, Station 47 (Lionville) was alerted along with Station 61 (Kimberton) and Station 5 to the 1200 block of Kimberton Rd for a reported fire. Initial 9-1-1 calls indicated heavy smoke coming from a barn. When the police arrived on location shortly thereafter, they advised of a working fire with animals inside. Deputy 47 (Minahan) arrived on location, established "Kimberton Rd Command", and requested the working fire dispatch. Lionville engines arrived and stretched hand lines and made an aggressive attack to contain the fire. Engine 5-5 arrived on location and sent a crew up to assist Lionville firefighters.
While East Whiteland was making the response to the Lionville fire, at approximately 1008 hrs (10:08 am) the Valley Forge Fire Company (Station 68) along with Stations 61 and 65 (Phoenixville) were alerted to the 1300 block of Melvin Road in Schuylkill Township for a reported house fire. Chief 68 (Cole)arrived on location and advised of a 2 story single family dwelling with the attached garage fully involved. Chief 68 established "Melvin Rd Command" and ordered the "Working Fire Dispatch" (WFD). The WFD added station 5 for an additional engine to assist.
After Lionville firefighters nocked the majority of the fire down in the barn fire, Deputy 47 released East Whiteland crews to assist Valley Forge on their fire.
Firefighters from Valley Forge and Phoenixville encountered heavy fire conditions upon arrival. Crews initially led off with a "deck gun" mounted on the engine to try and nock the fire down enough to allow firefighters to make an interior attack. Crews then made entry with hose lines and were successful in containing the blaze to the garage with some extension into the house, saving the home. Firefighters then spent considerable time doing salvage and overhaul operations, to ensure the fire was completely extinguished and checking for and extinguishing hotspots.
East Whiteland crews were made available and cleared the scene at approximately 1147 hrs (11:47 am).
The Chester County and Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshals are investigating the cause of the fire.
Photos by Michael Schon and Cody Gable. |
