At 2:02 p.m., LCFC Volunteers and surrounding mutual aid were dispatched to the 1000 block of Pottstown Pike in West Vincent Township for a building fire. Chief 73 arrived minutes after dispatch to find smoke and fire showing from the back of the building and established Trevdan Command. Deputy 73 later established Trevdan Command Post.
Engine 73-1 was the first arriving fire apparatus and layed 700 feet of 5 inch supply line from the hydrant at the entrance of the complex. The crew from 73-1 forced entry and immediately started fire attack. Engine 73-2 arrived second and picked up the hydrant to supply Engine 73-1. 73-5 arrived third and went around the back to assist the crew from Engine 73-1. Battalion 47 and Chief 48 worked together to handle the operations of the fire scene.
As more units arrived, Command established a second water supply from tankers staged on Route 100. Also, as things progressed, a ladder or tower were set up at each corner of the building to assist with vertical ventilation or aeriel master streams, if needed. Tower 47 and Ladder 6 crews setup and went to the roof to ventilate the affected area. Due to the nature of the products inside the building, Command requested a Haz-Mat team respond to assist.
Once the fire was placed under control, crews dealt with extensive overhaul and wrapped up around 5:45 p.m. The fire is being investigated by the Chester County Fire Marshal’s Office.
Special thanks to West Vincent Road Department for the use of their backhoe to remove debris from the building. Also, thank you to Engine 68-1 for standing by at our station while we operated and covered a fire alarm in the local while we remained on-scene at the fire.