In the early morning hours of April 13th numerous fire companies were dispatched to Ferndale Ln in East Brandywine for the reported house fire. Initial reports were from the residents saying they had smoke on the 2nd floor and were evacuating the home.

Deputy 49 arrived first with heavy smoke showing from the residence and requested a working fire dispatch. The fire was initially thought to be on the 2nd floor and attic area but after doing a 360 around the house it was determined the fire originated in the basement. Crews already had 2 handlines stretched and in the front door and began to move from the 2nd floor to the basement. The fire had already compromised part of the floor on the B/C corner of the 1st floor and had begun to spread to the 1st and 2nd floors in the walls of the home.

A 2nd alarm was requested by command to assist with manpower. Crews had numerous handlines in service and were opening up on the 1st and 2nd floors to extinguish the flames that made it into the walls. Crews did a fantastic job of preventing the fire from consuming the whole house.

We would like to remind you of the importance of smoke detectors on all floors of your home. The homeowners at this fire were woken up by the smoke detectors which very well could have saved their lives and their home. So be sure to have them installed in your home if you don't already and make sure you check your batteries.