Today at 1600 hours the Westwood Fire Company was dispatched to the 300 block of Strode Avenue in Valley Township for an automatic fire alarm. Engine 44-5 and MICU 44-1 were both on the street within 2 minutes of dispatch.
Arriving first due at 1606 hours, Engine 44-5 received a report from the on site staff that there was smoke in the building.
Chief McWilliams established the Harrison House Command and requested a building fire response. This upgrade brought automatic aid of fire and EMS units from Coatesville, Modena, Sadsburyville, Wagontown, Downingtown and East Brandywine.
Westwood firefighters determined the smoke to be coming from the basement division due to the smoke rising from there into the stairwell and the automatic detection system alerting of this location. Westwood firefighters advanced a 200’ 1-3/4” hose line into the building and located a fire in the laundry room.
Simultaneously, Westwood EMTs and Paramedics were on the upper floors working with the on site staff to evacuate all residents from the multi-story building.
The fire was quickly under control with all hands working. Ventilation was the next task and positive pressure fans were used to evacuate the smoke.
The Chester County Fire Marshal’s Office was called to the scene to investigate the fire. There were no firefighter or civilian injuries reported. |