On November 18 at 9:33 p.m., Station 69 and various mutual aid agencies were dispatched to the 2500 block of Ridge Road in Warwick Township for a reported structure fire. Engine 69-1 arrived on location to find a large barn with fire through the roof. As part of the working fire dispatch and first alarm tanker task force, Rescue 73 and Tanker 73 were added to the box assignment. Rescue 73 responded with a crew of 6 and the crew operated on scene for approximately 3 hours, mainly assisting with fire suppression. Tanker 73 responded with a crew of 1 and shuttled water from the fill site to the scene for approximately 4 hours before being released.

Meanwhile, Engine 73-1 was dispatched to relocate of Station 62 to stand-by at their station while they operated at the fire. Engine 73-1 was only at the relocate for a short time before County requested they set up a 2nd fill site to assist with water supply operations. Engine 73-1, with a crew of 5, established a second fill site at the intersection of Route 23 and Brick Lane and filled tankers for approximately 2 hours before returning to the station.

While all of this was occurring, a crew stood-by on Station to staff Engine 73-2 to cover our local territory and that of our mutual aid partners in the event of another call.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Chester County Fire Marshal’s Office.