Third Working Fire for Avondale Crews

Date: May 7, 2009
By: Firefighter John Morris IV

On Friday evening at 1920 hours the Avondale Fire Company was alerted to assist West Grove Fire Company at 27 Ketchum Ct. for the dwelling fire. Moments after dispatch fire board advised there was a propane explosion and that the garage of the house had collapsed and multiple fires had broken out. Engines 23-2, 23-3, Tanker 23, and Squad 23 all responded at 1924 hours due to a large member base on station and in the area. Fire board then advised incoming units that the dwelling was now reported to be fully involved. The working fire dispatch was put out by incoming officers. Engine 9-5 (Aetna Hose, Hook & Ladder) out of Newark, De was first on location and confirmed the report of a dwelling well off. Avondale units arrived on scene and helped with fire extinguishment. At the time of the explosion the propane was being worked on by a local repair company. The company had placed two temporary propane tanks in the front of the dwelling to hold the propane from the main tank located underground. Due to the large volume of fire the line from the internal tank to the temporary tanks was compromised and a propane fire was still active next to the temporary tanks after the main fire was suppressed. Crews had to spend several hours cooling and controlling the temporary tanks which were full of propane until the main underground tank ran out. This was done to prevent any further explosions. Due to the large volume of fire and water needed to cool the propane tanks multiple tanker task forces were called in. Avondale's tanker alone shuttled over 50,000 gallons of water. Fire companies from three different states battled this fire for nearly 12 hours. Crews cleared the scene the next morning at 0725 hours.

**Thanks to the Quarter House and Kennett for covering our first due during this long fire!!**

Units: Engine(s) 23-2, 23-3, Tanker 23, Squad 23, Traffic 23

Other Companies On Scene: Chester County: West Grove, Union of Oxford, Po-Mar-Lin, Fame Fire Company, West Bradford Fire Company, Kennett Fire Company, Cochranville Fire Company. New Castle County DE: Hockessin, Aetna Hose, Hook & Ladder. Cecil County, MD: Singerly, Community Fire Company of Rising Sun. Lancaster County, PA: Quarryville Fire Company. Multiple Fire Marshalls, PSP, PECO. Sorry if we forgot anyone!

**Thanks to our Special Park Ranger/ FF/ EMT/ Photographer Nikki Testa for the outstanding pictures!!!**

Engine 9-3 (AHHL) on scene.................................Initial crews place master streams into service

West Grove crews operate from the Delta side......Avondale crews arrive in force and form the
...............................................................................initial manpower pool before being deployed

Engine 12-2 and Tanker 22 at the base of the.....The house was tragically a total loss
water supply