The Thorndale Volunteer Fire Company was dispatched to a dumpster fire at the Caln Roller Rink Wednesday evening while the crews were preparing for the Strawberry Festival. Chief 38 responded just after dispatch followed by Engine 38, Rescue 38 and Traffic 38. The Chester County Fire Board advised Chief 38 that there was a 40 yard dumpster smoking at the above location. Chief 38 arrived to find a working dumpster fire in a locked fenced area, 25 feet from the building, at Bob Wagner's Carpet Mill.

Engine 38 arrived on the scene and one crew member got the bolt cutters and made access to the dumpster while the other two crew members deployed the front bumper line and donned their Self Contained Breathing Apparatus(SCBA) to attack the fire. The fire was knocked down quickly and overhaul started. The dumpster needed to be pulled out about 10 feet so the back door could be opened to make access for overhaul operations.

The crew from Rescue 38 positioned the rescue and deployed the portable winch off of the left side of the rescue and pulled the dumpster out until the back door could open properly. Both crews went to work pulling out the rolls of scrap carpet and other debris while using Class A Foam to wet down the smoldering areas.

Traffic 38 and the Fire Police closed the driveway to the Caln Roller Rink to protect the crews operating in the driveway.

The Thorndale Volunteer Fire Company was in service for about an hour on the scene and another 45 minutes back at the station cleaning the hose and equipment that was used, packing the front bumper line, placing the air packs that were used back into service, flushing the water tank and lines and filling the water tank.