Large Brush Pile on Fire in East Fallowfield
 
By Assistant Chief Adam Grossman
September 11, 2016
 

Sunday September 11th, 2016 brought work for Westwood Volunteers when a mulch fire was reported to 911. At 1208 firefighters were called out to the 3100 block of Strasburg Road and found a pile of mulch on fire.

The assignment was cancelled as personnel on site at Weaver's Mulch were beginning to bring the fire under control with their bulldozers. This is a standard process that happens at this location and most times is contained by their personnel.

At 1224 the company went back out for a brush pile fire. Due to the windy and dry conditions, fire had spread from the mulch on fire to a nearby pile of brush. On site personnel requested water be applied to some areas of the mulch on fire and the large brush pile that was now burning.

Two additional engines, two tankers and a brush truck from mutual aid agencies were requested to assist with bringing the fire under control. After assuming Command, Assistant 44 requested those units.

Engine 44-5 arrived and went in service with three 1-3/4" hose lines. Cochranville Tanker 27 arrived and supplied Engine 44-5 while Tanker 36 staged until Tanker 27 was empty and shuttled water into the scene. Engine crews from Sadsburyville and Modena assisted with fire suppression.

Weaver's personnel used bulldozers and backhoes to break up the pile of burning material. Within 20 minutes of firefighters being on scene the fire was placed under control with all hands working.

This came less then 12 hours after another pile of mulch was on fire at 0200, fortunately the Weaver's personnel had that fire under control and no fire department services were needed.

Photographs courtesy of IrishEyez Photography.
 
Units: Engine 44-5, Tac 44, Traffic 44
 
Mutual Aid: Sadsburyville Engine 31-2, Modena Engine 37-1 & Brush 37, Cochranville Tanker 27, Po-Mar-Lin Tanker 36
 
A view of the fire prior to the large brush pile being involved with flames.
A view of the fire prior to the large brush pile being involved with flames.
A large brush pile and mulch were on fire on Strasburg Road.
A large brush pile and mulch were on fire on Strasburg Road.
 
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A backhoe was used to break apart the burning pile.
A backhoe was used to break apart the burning pile.
 
A loader was used to extinguish the burning mulch.
A loader was used to extinguish the burning mulch.
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Firefighter/EMT Buttner
Firefighter/EMT Buttner
Firefighter Pearce
Firefighter Pearce
 
Firefighter/EMT Grossman reporting conditions to the incident commander, Chief McWilliams.
Firefighter/EMT Grossman reporting conditions to the incident commander, Chief McWilliams.
Firefighter Ranck Chauffeuring Engine 44-5.
Firefighter Ranck Chauffeuring Engine 44-5.
 
Tanker 27 supplies Engine 44-5 with additional water.
Tanker 27 supplies Engine 44-5 with additional water.
Engine 44-5 was in service with 3 hose lines to extinguish the fire.
Engine 44-5 was in service with 3 hose lines to extinguish the fire.
 
Crews bring the fire under control.
Crews bring the fire under control.
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Tanker 36 supplies more water to the scene.
Tanker 36 supplies more water to the scene.
Tanker 36 and Engine 44-5
Tanker 36 and Engine 44-5