Storm Brings Multiple Responses
 
By Westwood Newsdesk
July 17, 2024
 

A storm rolled into the area Tuesday night bringing much devastation. The wind picked up around 19:30 followed by dark skies and thunderstorms.

The first call came in at 20:08 when a house fire was reported on Pratts Dam Road in West Brandywine Township. The tanker and MICU were due on this and responded at dispatch. Once this call was cleared, the tanker diverted to Manor Road in Valley Township where a large tree landed on a car trapping the occupants.

From that point forward into the next morning, our Fire/Rescue and EMS crews were responding non-stop to multiple emergencies. The calls consisted of fire alarms, CO alarms, trees/wires, auto accidents and a hazardous materials incident. In addition, the EMS division was constant busy with medical emergencies.

During the timeframe of 08:00 on Tuesday to 08:00 on Wednesday, our career and volunteer personnel had responded to 18 Fire/Rescue incidents and 33 EMS emergencies.
 
Units: Engine 44-5, Rescue 44, Tac 44, Traffic 44, MICU 44-1, Medic 44-1, MICU 144, MICU 244, Medic 344, Chief 44, Deputy 44, Assistant 44
 
Mutual Aid: Hazmat 15
 
A tree blocks the Westbound 30 Bypass and bystanders with a logging truck remove the tree. This was also a two vehicle accident.
A tree blocks the Westbound 30 Bypass and bystanders with a logging truck remove the tree. This was also a two vehicle accident.
Firefighter/Medic McCarthy doffs SCBA during ac active gas leak.
Firefighter/Medic McCarthy doffs SCBA during ac active gas leak.
 
Hose line in service for the leaking propane tank caused by a large tree and a power line down on top of it.
Hose line in service for the leaking propane tank caused by a large tree and a power line down on top of it.
Engine 44-5 and Rescue 44 made several responses throughout the night.
Engine 44-5 and Rescue 44 made several responses throughout the night.
 
Stations 44 and 15 on scene of Lafayette Street.
Stations 44 and 15 on scene of Lafayette Street.
Chief McWilliams mans a hose line while hazmat team sets up to burn off a propane tank.
Chief McWilliams mans a hose line while hazmat team sets up to burn off a propane tank.
 
The tree and wires down on the leaking propane tank.
The tree and wires down on the leaking propane tank.
A controlled burn off of the propane tank.
A controlled burn off of the propane tank.
 
Engine 76 and Rescue 44 on scene of a house filled with carbon monoxide.
Engine 76 and Rescue 44 on scene of a house filled with carbon monoxide.
A house on Hilltop Lane in Valley Township suffers major damage from a tree down.
A house on Hilltop Lane in Valley Township suffers major damage from a tree down.