A two-alarm fire swept through a large home in Upper Providence Township on Feb. 25.
At 9:26 a fire assignment was dispatched for the 1700 block of N. Ridley Creek Rd. for a building fire. The initial dispatch included numerous calls reporting the fire. The first alarm assignment included Company 73 (Rose Tree), Company 23 (Media), Truck 46 (Rocky Run), RIT 41 (Newtown Square) and Medic 23 (Riddle Hospital).
Upper Providence police reported a buildng fully involved. Chief 73-9 (Brown) arrived and reported a large single-family dwelling with heavy fire involving Division 1. The chief established Ridley Creek Command and confirmed with the police that no occupants were in the building.
Quint 73 was directed to lay a five-inch supply line up the driveway and to lead off with a 2 1/2-inch BlitzLine. 73-9A (Trevelino) was assigned the operations chief. Squrt 23 picked up the split lay and laid about 500 feet of five-inch supply line to a hydrant north of the fire building.
Ladder 41 was positioned in front of the building. Their crew went to work assisting Quint 73. Rescue 41 took RIT duties.
Due to the heavy volume of fire and extension throughout the building, along with a determination of probable lightweight construction, a defensive mode of attack was used.
Truck and Engine 46 arrived and manpower assisted Quint 73 with pulling multiple handlines.
Engine 73 laid 1200 feet of five-inch supply line to supply Ladder 41. Engine 23-2 pumped the hydrant.
All-hands were working as a second alarm was struck. It brought Engine Company 51 (South Media), Tower 44 (Springfield), Rescue 52 (Brookhaven) and Medic 104-7D (Riddle Hospital). Engine, Tower and Ambulance 14 (Swarthmore) as well as Rescue 71 (Chester Heights) covered Co. 73 and 23 locals from Station 73.
Canteen 47 (Chester Township) was special called for food and drink for rehab.
Operations throughout the evening remained in a defensive mode and there were two interior collapses during the height of the fire. No occupants or fire department personnel were injured.
The Upper Providence Township fire marshal is investigating.
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