On Saturday, January 31 at 0558 hours, Montgomery County Stations 25 (Merion Fire Company of Ardmore) and 21 (Penn Wynne-Overbrook Hills Fire Company) were dispatched to 131 Grandview Road in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, for a structure fire with possible entrapment.
Upon arrival, a working fire with entrapment on the second floor was confirmed. The fire was in a three-story twin home, converted into apartments. First arriving engines from companies 25 and 21, led off with multiple handlines and established water supply by hooking up to a hydrant.
25-5 (Tom Hayden) established 25 Command and requested the second alarm. The second alarm brought Station 26 (Narberth Fire Company) to assist, Tower 28 (Union Fire Association) as the FAST team, and Air 24 (Gladwyne Fire Company) to supply air.
Minutes later, the third alarm was struck, bringing Station 23 (Bryn Mawr Fire Company).
Crews aggressively conducted fire suppression measures, and search and rescue operations.
Due to the buildings structural integrity being compromised, the evacuation order was given for fear of collapse. Crews then conducted defensive practices utilizing master streams and ladder pipes.
The initial cause of the fire is pointing towards electrical, with one fatality occurring in the incident.
