On Wednesday morning, Jan. 16, the McKean County 911 Dispatch Center in Pennsylvania transmitted a box alarm for a reported working garage fire at 805 South Kendall Avenue.
Responding on the first alarm were Rew, Derrick City and Otto Township Volunteer Fire Departments and the Bradford City Fire Department. Bradford City Engine 1 with a two man crew was first to arrive and Lieutenant Shane Byers confirmed a working structure fire with exposures.
This crew placed a one and three quarter inch attack line into operation working off of booster tank water. Rew responded with an engine and a tanker and Derrick City responded with two engines and a rescue truck. Rew Assistant Chief Todd Burkhouse requested a second alarm for tankers due to the rural setting of the incident.
Two one and three quarter inch compressed air foam attack lines were placed into operation from Rew's engine. Rew's tanker supplied their engine with a five inch supply line which in turn supplied Bradford City's engine with a three inch supply line. Once a water supply was established, Engine 1 also placed its deck gun into operation. Derrick City also placed one, one and three quarter inch attack line into operation. Additionally the two engines supplied Rew's engine. Otto Township's tanker supplied Derrick City. The second alarm brought tankers from Hilltop, Smethport and Lewis Run Volunteer Fire Departments to the scene. Bradford Township Volunteer fire Department was special requested to send a Rescue Engine and crew to the scene to assist in establishing a water supply and manpower for operations.
Two garages were destroyed and a nearby residential structure suffered exposure damage from the heat.
One firefighter suffered minor injuries and was transported to Bradford Regional Medical Center for treatment. Thirty firefighters were on the scene for over two hours. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
