On Saturday June 10th at 1107, the Westwood, Modena, Sadsburyville and Cochranville Fire Companies were dispatched to the 3100 block of Strasburg Road in East Fallowfield Township for a building fire. The caller indicated there was smoke in the building and they were evacuating.

Modena Chief Dowlin arrived at 1112 and reported nothing showing from the exterior. After further investigation a fire was located to the rear of the structure and the walls needed to be opened up to expose it. Chief McWilliams arrived at 1116 and established the Strasburg Road Command while Chief Dowlin assumed operations.

Engine 44-5 (March) arrived first due at 1116 and firefighters deployed a 200' 1-3/4" hose line to extinguish the fire. Crews split with half being the hose line crew and the other half opening up the exterior siding. Engine 31-1 (Reynolds) arrived at 1117 and pulled an additional hose line to the fire area. A quick knock was placed on the fire and Westwood firefighters advanced the hose line in the structure to check for extension. Sadsburyville and Modena firefighters assisted with opening up and checking for extension.

The fire was placed under control at 1122, just six minutes after the arrival of Engine 44-5. Crews continued with opening up walls and ceilings adjacent to the fire to ensure the fire was out. The Chester County Fire Marshall's Office was called to the scene to investigate the cause of the fire.

Cochranville Tanker 27 was also on scene to provide additional water, fortunately it was not needed as the 3,000 gallons of water on Engine 44-5 was sufficient. In addition, manpower from Cochranville Engine 27-2 assisted with racking hose lines on Engine 44-5 and Engine 31-1.

EMS from Modena and Westwood stood by on the fire ground for firefighter rehab. Fire Police from Westwood and Sadsburyville were on scene to direct traffic around the fire apparatus.

Some photographs courtesy of IrishEyez Photography.