Recent Incidents

Photos on following pages from actual emergency calls.

VEHICLE SLAMS TREE LEAVING 1 TRAPPED ON MERLIN ROAD　

Friday November 7, 2008

AT 0237 Hrs, Chester County 911 alerted Kimberton Fire (61 & 72) and West End Ambulance (67) for an auto accident with entrapment on Merlin Road north of Pickering Road in East Pikeland Twp. The Honda Accord struck a tree at a high rate of speed pushing the roof and drivers side "A" post down on the driver as well as having the drivers door wrapped around him with the steering wheel pushed into the driver’s leg. He told rescue personnel he was trapped for ½ an hour before anyone came along to find his accident & report it to the 911 center.

Kimberton firefighters responded with Rescue 61, Engine 61-1, Rescue 72 (all three are rescue pumpers), Squad 72 and Traffic 61. Deputy Chief Fields was the first to arrive, confirmed entrapment and established Merlin Road command. Rescue crews stabilized the car, as it was off the roadway and over the embankment. Meanwhile other firefighters began cutting away at tree limbs to enable them to access the car. Crews worked on both sides of the car simultaneously, eventually removing 3 of the 4 car doors and the roof. Extrication was completed at 0325 Hrs. Fire Crews remained on the scene until after 4 AM getting the vehicle removed from the scene.

Photos by Deputy Chief Fields

Rescue 72 & Brush 45 on Working fire in West Bradford

On Sunday October 5, 2008, Rescue 72 from the Spring-Ford Station went to the West Bradford Fire Co (St 39) to cover their calls while they were working their Triathalon. Rescue 72 arrives at 0600 hrs with a crew of 6 and we were later joined by Brush 45 from the Alert Fire Co. (St 45) with a crew of 5. Crews ended up running a total of 3 calls including a working house fire.

At 1547 hrs - Rescue 72 & Brush were dispatched along with Ambulance 55-5 and and Engine from 51 (First West Chester) to an auto accident on Telegraph Rd West of West Strasburg Rd. While enroute to the accident, Chief 39 was notified of a house fire on New Hampshire Lane. Crews were diverted from the accident and sent to the house fire. Rescue 72 and Brush 45 arrived onscene in less than 2 minutes of the dispatch and found a 2 story single family dwelling with heavy smoke from the A, C and D sides. The crew from Brush 45 grabbed SCBA's from Rescue 72 and stretched (2) 1.75 inch lines, 1 to the front and 1 to the back of the dwelling. New Hampshire Command was established by 72 until Chief 39 arrived on the scene. The house was laddered by crews from 72 and 45. The roof was opened up for ventilation by members of Station 45. Approx 300 feet of 5 inch was hand drug to the corner of Creigh Knoll and New Hampshire for the next in engine to secure the hydrant and hook up the 5 inch. We were then advised of possibly 3 trapped in the residence. Through an aggressive attack by the combination crew, the fire was contained to the first floor of the residence. This was all accomplished before any additional units arrived on the scene. A thorough search of the house revealed no one in the residence and they were found later at a neighbors house unharmed. A great job to all involved and great team work by the 72 and 45 crews !! The 72 and 45 crews were assisted by Minquas Fire and EMS (46), Thorndale Fire Co. (38), First West Chester Fire Co. (51) East Brandywine Fire Co (49) and additional crews from Alert Fire Co. (45). The fire is under investigation by the Chester County Fire Marshal's Office. Rescue 72 also assisted by filling SCBA bottles on the scene.

After cleaning up equipment and repacking hose at Station 39, Rescue 72 was released by Deputy 39. The crew on Rescue 72 thought their night was over until they were dispatched to assist Sta 61 on a chimney fire in the Powder Mill Development. Rescue 72 responded quickly and was the the first arriving unit on scene and found a 2 story single family dwelling with nothing showing. The fire was out in the fireplace and 61/72 crews assisted with removing hot ashes from the fire place.

The crew from Rescue 72 want to thank the crew from Brush 45 for their assistance to us throughout the stand-by. We look forward to working with them in the future !

Photos By Asst. Chief Bliss
Story By FF/EMT Scott Fredericks

Assist To Ridge Fire on East Vincent House Fire

Monday, September 1, 2008

At 1114 hours Chester County Communication alerted Ridge Fire (62), Kimberton Fire (61) and West End Ambulance (MICU 167) for a house fire on Overlook Circle (in the Kimberton Hunt development) in East Vincent Township.

Alert neighbors saw the rear section of the home/garage ablaze and alerted 911. The neighbors began to extinguish the blaze with a garden hose and was soon assisted by first-in crews from Station 62. Crews spent over an hour checking for hot spots and venting smoke from the home.

Chester County Fire Marshals assisted on the scene ad determined the fire to be accidental and related to improper disposal of ashes from a previous nights events. Crews from Kimberton cleared around 1230 hours.

Photos by Judy Welsh, KFC Photographer

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KIMBERTON FIREFIGHTERS ASSIST ON BARN FIRE

Sunday July 20, 2008

Kimberton Firefighters were working at the Kimberton Community Fairgrounds when a thunderstorm closed the fairgrounds. The violent storm created several fire incidents in the county including 2 barns struck by Lighting. At 9:21 PM the County Fire communications Center alerted Lionville Fire (47) & Kimberton (61) for a barn fire on Devyn Drive by Fairfield Lane in West Pikeland Township. Both stations hit the road immediately but the wind was pushing the fast moving fire through the barn quickly. A second alarm was quickly struck and the first in firefighters laid supply lines from nearby fire hydrants. Crews worked to protect 3 homes that were right next to the barn from going up in flames with the barn. Although the homes were saved, the barn was a total loss. Crews from Lionville & Kimberton used master streams from their Tower-Ladders to knock down the majority of the fire in the barn. Crews then worked by hand for hours in the night digging out hot spots and extinguishing the fire. Units cleared the scene shortly after midnight. Rescue 72 & Engine 68-2 (Valley Forge) stood by at Kimberton during the blaze. Rescue 72 covered 1 call during that time. Also assisting at the scene was Exton Fire (06), East Whiteland Fire (05) and the County Fire Marshal (Harrison Holt – FM100). The fire was ruled accidental due to a lightning strike.

Photos by Deputy Chief Fields

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CHARLESTOWN HOME BURNS - 2 DOGS LOST IN FIRE

Tuesday June 17, 2008

At 0844 hours, Chester County communications alerted Kimberton Fire (61 & 72), Phoenix #1 (Ladder 65), and Valley Forge (Engine 68-5) for a house on fire on Sycamore Lane in Charlestown Twp. Within minutes as units were enroute Deputy Chief Fields arrived and reported a 2 story single family home with heavy smoke showing from all sides. He assumed ‘Sycamore Lane Command’ and requested 2 additional tankers (Engine 5-5 from East Whiteland and Tanker 47 from Lionville Fire). In the meantime Kimberton sent its tanker as did Valley Forge Fire.

Even before fire apparatus arrived, fire vented out the rear and quickly overtook the home. Firefighters were forced to take a defensive attack on the fire. Due to the steep and long driveway, only Engine 61-1 and Ladder 65 were able to get up to the home to battle the fire. Additional units set up water supply at the base of the driveway and fire crews had to make the long walk up the driveway to the home. At 0858 Hours Chief Fields requested a 2nd alarm for manpower & additional water. This brought a tanker from Ridge Fire (Engine 62-5) and Malvern (Engine 04-5).

Chief Hughes (Chief 61) arrived & established water supply operations at the base of the driveway some 1800 feet away. The narrow street created an obstacle course for tanker drivers. An Engine from Humane of Royersford also assisted on the scene with overhaul. Units cleared the scene around 2 PM. Assisting on the scene were the Chester County Fire Marshals office, PA State Police FM, Charlestown Twp FM, and Belfor Restorations. Losses were estimated at $750,000. The cause of the fire is under investigation but not believed to be suspicious.

Photos by Deputy Chief Fields

WORKING HOUSE FIRE IN CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP

Wednesday April 23, 2008

AT 9:13 PM firefighters from the Kimberton FD (61 & 72) were alerted to an “Unknown Type Fire” on Eastwick Drive in Charlestown Twp. Crews from both stations were just wrapped up their weekly training session when the alarm came in & immediately hit the street with Engine 61-1, Tower 61 and Rescue 72. Prior to arrival the communications center advised they were receiving a call for a deck on fire at the address. The alarm assignment was upgraded to a building fire response and Kimberton was realerted and an engine from East Whiteland Fire (Sta 5) was added to the assignment. Engine 61-1 was the first to arrive and reported a large 2-story home with fire showing on the C/D side on the roof. Deputy Chief Fields assumed command and requested an ambulance for standby and an engine to cover Station 61. The Tower laddered the roof to open it up while engine crews stretched handlines up to the upstairs bedroom, where crews began opening walls and ceilings to access the fire. Ladder 65 from Phoenix #1 was added to the alarm to assist with manpower, as crews worked to their max getting the roof opened up to find the fire.

The fire was placed under control at 1016 Hrs. Assisting on the scene was the County Fire Marshals Office, State Police FM, Charlestown Twp FM and Belfor Restorations. The damages were estimated to be around $35,000 and the point of origin was found to be an outside light fixture. Crews cleared the scene just before midnight.

Units On Scene: Engine 61-1, Tower 61, Rescue 72, Squad 72, Engine 61-2, Rescue 61, Tanker 61, Squad 61, Brush 61, Engine 5-5 , Ladder 65, MICU 67-3. Engine 62-1 (Ridge) stood by at Station 61 during the fire and assisted with getting the Kimberton units back in service upon their return.

Photo by Assistant Chief Bliss

Kimberton Assists in Royersford with Working Fire

April 11, 2008

On April 11th at 1755 hours Rescue 72 was dispatched as the RIT team to assist Montgomery County Stations 84/85 (Royersford) for a working building fire. Rescue and Squad 72 arrived and was advised to pick-up the hydrant at 5th Ave. & Vaughn Road. Rescue 72 laid 500 feet of 5 inch hose and hand drug 200 feet over to Montgomery Engine 85. Manpower assisted with overhaul and was released at 2033 hours.

During the time Rescue 72 was at the call Station 61 responded to a reported brush fire in the area of the Cromby Power Plant. After investigating the crew determined it was from the smoke from the fire in Royersford.

Later in the evening at 2332 while Engine 61-1 & Rescue 61 were operating at an accident in the area of 108 Ridge Road, Rescue 72 was again dispatched to assist Royersford for a building fire following a lighting strike. Rescue 72 and Squad 72 responded Royersford Companies found no smoke or fire, but did investigate an odor of burnt insulation. Rescue 72 was released by Royersford’s Chief.

2008

• Incidents March - November 2008
• Incidents January-March 2008