Thorndale Assists on Coatesville Fire
 
By Deputy Chief Daniel Donnachie
April 7, 2014
 

On Sunday April 6, 2014, Rescue 38 was dispatched to assist the Coatesville Fire Department with a possible Apartment Building Fire in the 700 Block of Coates Street in the City of Coatesville. Reports indicated smoke and fire from the windows along with the caller hearing multiple explosions. Coatesville Police as well as Ladder 41 (Coatesville) arrived on the scene to find a two story duplex with fire showing. Deputy 43 arrived on the scene and assumed Coates Street Command with Operations held by Battalion 41.

Rescue 38 responded and upon arrival at the scene was tasked with truck company operations. The crew split with one crews performing vertical ventilation on the roof and the other crew throwing ladders to the second floor and clearing out windows.

Due to deteriorating fire conditions on the second floor, an evacuation order was given by Coates Street Command at 07:39. Several lines from the exterior as well as Ladder 41 and Ladder 8 (Keystone Valley) were placed into service to keep the fire in check until it was safe for crews to enter again. After Operations determined it was safe to enter the building again, crews proceeded in to begin overhaul.

Two Firefighters suffered minor injuries on the scene which did not require transport for further care. Rescue 38 provided lighting at the scene as the night stretched on while Thorndale Fire Police secured the fire scene and neighboring streets.

After clearing the scene, crews from Thorndale returned to the station and returned all equipment to service.

 
Units: Rescue 38, Engine 38, Chief 38, Assistant 38