Crews Rescue Civilian From Burning House

On Tuesday July 24th, 2012 at 0300 hours the Westwood Fire Company, Sadsburyville Fire Company and the next closest water tender from the East Brandywine Fire Company were dispatched to the unit block of Saint George Street in the Quiet Village section of Valley Township for the report of smoke in a dwelling. Engine 31-1 led by Chief Grossman with a crew of 3 was the first suppression piece on the street responding just 5 minutes after the time of dispatch.

Westwood Fire Chief McWilliams arrived on location at 0311 hours with smoke showing, with what appeared to be a working house fire. Chief McWilliams established Saint George Street Command and advised Engine 31-1 to take the front of the house and run a 1-3/4" 150' front bumper hose line to the front door for suppression efforts.

Upon further investigation Chief McWilliams discovered a civilian trapped inside the house and redirected the crew of Engine 31-1 to go into rescue operations. Fire Chief Grossman and Firefighter Messner masked up at the front door and made entry into the dwelling where the civilian was located. The two worked together to remove the civilian from the dwelling and into the front lawn. Once out of the hot zone, Chief McWilliams and Chief Grossman immediately began resuscitation efforts on the civilian.

Ambulance 44 arrived at 0313 and took over the EMS operation. Westwood Assistant Chief Scott assumed fire ground operations and all units operated on FD-1.

Chief Grossman, Firefighter Dague and Deputy Chief Supplee then made entry back into the dwelling with the hose line and suppressed the fire located in a rear bedroom. Crews opened up and hydra ventilated out of a bedroom window while additional crews placed a positive pressure fan in service at the front door.

The fire was quickly placed under control at 0325 hours.

Ambulance 44 and Medic 46-1 transported the civilian to a local hospital.

East Brandywine Firefighters assisted in the EMS operation and ran scene lighting in and out of the house.

Sadsburyville units cleared the scene at 0602 hours.

Great job to all the volunteers involved in the operation of this morning. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the involved Fire Marshall's Offices.