Photos by
BOB MARCUS
& Story by
RICK ROTONDO

At 9:45am on Sunday, June 23rd, Station 8 (Huntingdon Valley), Station 11 (Bryn Athyn), Station 9 (Rockledge) and Ladder 100 (Abington) were dispatched by Montgomery County (PA) Communications to a reported commercial building fire at 798 Welsh Road in Lower Moreland Township.

Assistant 8 confirmed heavy smoke in the area and moments later reported a one story 40 X 150 building fully involved. Engine 11 and Engine 8 arrived on location simultaneously. Engine 11 hit the hydrant and laid in while Engine 8 proceeded into the scene and pulled 2 1/2" lines to battle the fire. Ladder 100 went in service its' ladder pipe while Engine 11-1 hit a second hydrant. All companies were held to an exterior attack due to the amount of fire and the deteriorating condition of the building.

While all companies were in service at this fire, embers ignited the roof of a nearby, vacant three story house. The roof soon became well involved. Crews now had heavy fire conditions in both the commercial building and the house. Due to the poor condition of the house, crews were again driven to an exterior attack.

Multiple special calls for manpower were needed due to the 95 degree heat and humidity. The fires were finally brought under control in just over two hours.

Units Involved: Huntingdon Valley (Station 8), Bryn Athyn (Station 11), Rockledge (Station 9), Abington (Station 100), Willow Grove (Station 10), Hatboro (Station 95), Horsham (Station 15), Southampton (Bucks County Station 2), Trevose (Bucks County Station 4), Warminster (Bucks County Station 91) Fire Companies, Second Alarmers Rescue Squad (Squad 353), Bryn Athyn Fire Company Ambulance (Squad 355) and North Penn Goodwill (Station 41).