Late Night House Fire in Rockrun
 
By Deputy Fire Chief Randy Scott
August 3, 2018
 

On August 1st, 2018 around 00:00 hours, units from Westwood Fire Company along with Sadsburyville and Wagontown Fire Companies were alerted to a reported house fire in the 900 block of Wagontown Road in the Rock Run section of Valley Township.. Upon arrival of Deputy Chief Scott he reported a 2 story duplex with light smoke showing from division 1 on the "Charlie" side of the structure. Deputy Chief Scott assumed Wagontown Road command and Chief Grossman took operations.

Engine 44-5 arrived first and took position on the front side of the structure and crews stretched the front bumper line to the front door and into the basement of the home. Once inside firefighters encountered a smoke condition but were unable to locate the fire. A second crew advanced a second line into the address next to the dispatched address and located a fire rapidly growing on a rear wall right between the two structures. Firefighters knocked down the fire and began opening up.

Due to the unique terrain that this house sits on, there were 4 stories in the back and 2 stories in the front. Firefighters took the rear and worked under the fire in the sub-basement also as part of overhaul. The fire was under control within 15 minutes of being on location. The fire went out quickly and efficiently with 4 engines, 1 pumper-tanker, 2 ambulances and 25 firefighters operating on the scene. Thank you to all mutual aid for your fire ground support.
 
Units: Engine 44-5, Ambulance 44-1, Chief 44, Deputy 44, Assistant 44
 
Mutual Aid: Engine 31-1, Engine 31-2, Engine 35, Rescue 35
 
Firefighters arrive and begin to pack up and advance in the structure.
Firefighters arrive and begin to pack up and advance in the structure.
Firefighters work in the sub-basement under the fire to open up for hot spots.
Firefighters work in the sub-basement under the fire to open up for hot spots.
 
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Firefighters threw ladders for means of egress from division 2.
Firefighters threw ladders for means of egress from division 2.
 
Area where the fire began.
Area where the fire began.
A door had to be removed during overhaul to access all hot spots.
A door had to be removed during overhaul to access all hot spots.
 
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The fire also burnt through a floor.
The fire also burnt through a floor.
 
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Firefighters work to open up the fire area.
Firefighters work to open up the fire area.
 
The siding on the outside of the structure was also damaged.
The siding on the outside of the structure was also damaged.
The fire was down a stairwell at the basement level of the structure.
The fire was down a stairwell at the basement level of the structure.
 
Sadsburyville Firefighters wrap up equipment and hoses.
Sadsburyville Firefighters wrap up equipment and hoses.
Westwood Fire Police diverting traffic away from the fire.
Westwood Fire Police diverting traffic away from the fire.
 
A view of the scene from Manor Road.
A view of the scene from Manor Road.
Wagontown firefighters take equipment to the C side.
Wagontown firefighters take equipment to the C side.
 
Engine 44-5 on the A side lighting up the scene.
Engine 44-5 on the A side lighting up the scene.
Area of fire damage on the exterior of the structure.
Area of fire damage on the exterior of the structure.
 
Firefighter/EMT March and Assistant Chief Grossman
Firefighter/EMT March and Assistant Chief Grossman
The command post located on the A side of the structure.
The command post located on the A side of the structure.