The Fairfield Township Volunteer Fire Company, in Westmoreland County, responded on a working barn fire on July 27, 2003.
The owner's son, also a neighboring fire officer, called in the fire in on portable radio. The fire was spreading quickly.
Upon our arrival we found a large 50x50 -- 2 story barn with fire from 3 sides and venting heavily with 10-15mph winds. We layed 1000' of large diameter hose from the closest creek. The next arriving engines set up dump tank and fill sites, as a secondary water source.
An elevated master stream was supplied by Tower 43. Multiple ground monitors were set up.
After multiple hours of exterior firefighting, multiple dozers and backhoes were brought in to tear the hay out of the barn.
Overall, 17 total departments responded, 11 tankers provided water for the dump site.
One firefighter suffered a heat related illness, was treated and released from the local hospital.
There were approximately 20 beef cattle and 8000 bales of hay occupied the barn. The owner was able to retrieve all but 6 cattle, some machinery and other equipment.
