On Wednesday July 2, 2014 at 7:24 PM, Chester County communications alerted Valley Forge (68), West End Ambulance (67A) and Kimberton (61) for a House fire on Potters Pond Drive in Schuylkill Township. Tower 61 and Engine 61 were returning from Thunderstorm related incidents with Ludwigs Corner (73) Fire and immediately responded with fully staffed units.

Engine 61 was the first to arrive and found a 2 story home with fire showing from around the roof line and front window. Deputy Chief 61 immediately assumed command of the fire. It was raining hard and the smoke was heavy in the street. Tower 61 arrived shortly afterwards and the crews began pulling hose. Engine crews darkened down the visible fire and the crews headed to the 2nd floor to pull ceilings and extinguish the fire in the attic area.

Upon arrival of Chief 68, Command was transferred to Valley Forge’s Chief Cole. Valley Forge Firefighters helped establish a water supply and their crews immediately came inside to support the Kimberton crews. A working fire dispatch brought an Engine from Phoenixville and an additional MICU (from Trappe EMS) to the scene. Within minutes the bulk of the fire was extinguished, but crews spent hours digging out hot spots in the roof before finally clearing around 10:15 PM.

Before the night was over two (2) firefighters ended up at Phoenixville Hospital for heat related injuries. Both were treated and later released. The cause of the fire was ruled as natural causes from a lightning strike.