Another Working Dwelling on Kaolin Road

Date: May 5, 2009
By: Firefighter John Morris IV

At 0057 hours on May 5, Station 23 was alerted once again along with Station 24 (Kennett) and New Castle County 19 (Hockessin) for the reported dwelling in the 1100 block of Kaolin Road. Assistant 23 (M. Decker) arrived on scene and reported a Single Family Dwelling with heavy fire throughout the residence and advised Chester that it was not the dwelling from the previous morning. A working fire dispatch was put out adding Station 22 (West Grove), Station 25 (Longwood), Station 36 (Po-Mar-Lin) for the tanker and Medic 94 (SCCEMS). Engine 19-3 (Hockessin) was first on scene and laid a 5" supply line up the steep driveway. Engine 23-2 arrived next and charged the supply line to Engine 19-3. Their crew along with Engine 24-2's crew headed up the driveway to assist 19's crew with placing four 1 3/4 hand lines in service. Due to the heavy fire load and knowledge that all the residents were out safely any attempts at an interior attack were called off by command and an exterior operation was put into place. Tanker 23 arrived next and supplied Engine 23-2. Lieutenant 23A (Bessicks) assumed water supply and Chief 23 (Swift) assumed "Kaolin Road CP". Due to the lack of hydrants in the area the first alarm tanker task force was put out adding Station 21 (Union), Station 39 (West Bradford), and Station 53 (Fame) for the tankers. After extinguishing the fire and performing extensive overhaul crews returned at approximately 0500 hours. The fire was ruled accidental by the Chester County Fire Marshalls Office.

***Special thanks once again to Lancaster 5-2 (Christiana) and Atglen (26) for covering our local and helping us place our apparatus back in service***

Units: Engine(s) 23-2, 23-3, Ambulance 23-1, Tanker 23
Other Companies on Scene: Kennett Fire Company (24), Longwood Fire Company (25), Po-Mar-Lin Fire Company (36), West Grove Fire Company (22), Fame Fire Company (53), West Bradford Fire Company (39), Union Fire Company (21), Hockessin Fire Company (NCC 19), Chester County Fire Marshalls Office, PECO.

..........................***Thanks to Nikki Testa for all of the amazing photos!!!!!!!!!***

FF's Morris IV and Franks pull siding...................Crews overhauling the dwelling

Captain 25 (McCarthy) takes a break after..........a meeting of the minds
cutting multiple openings in the siding

Extensive overhaul was done to the dwelling..........a pile of the contents was formed in the rear

Side "A"................................................................Engine 23-2 supplies 19-3 up the driveway

Chauffeur Nowland supplies Engine 23-2............Crews venting the roof