Firefighters Attack Robeson Township, Pa. House Fire

The Friendship Fire Company #1 of Geigertow was dispatched along with Company 23 (Gibraltar Fire Company), Company 25 (Exeter Township Fire Department), Company 70 (Cumru Township Fire Department) and Company 72 (Brecknock Fire Company) to the 1100 Block of Lake View Drive in the Green Hills Lake Development for a reported house fire. The caller lived on Hillside Drive and reported he could see flames from a house across the lake. Captain 24 (S. Gullo) responded and reported heavy smoke from two miles out. He also reported a two-story single family dwelling fully involved, also confirming it to be on Lake View Drive. The home was located at the end of a narrow lane, approximately ½ mile from the main road and in a heavily wooded area. Crews on Engine 56 (Cumru Twp FD covering for E70) as well as Engine 25 and Rescue 23 utilized 1 ¾” and 3” attack lines and tried to push back the fire from extending into the garage. Due to there being no hydrants in the area and a lack of water supply, Captain 24 requested the next-in piece of apparatus to lay in 5” hose from the main road to the fire scene. Engine 24 dropped 1,600’ followed by 200’ from Rescue 23. A fill site with porta-ponds was setup and a tanker shuttle was formed to a nearby hydrant. Chief 24 (P. Shirey) took command.Due to the intensi ty of the fire, and how far along it was before the fire department arrived, the fire was battled from exterior only and was knocked and under control in about two hours. A CAFs truck from Company 25 worked its way up to the fire scene and mop-up crews performed a massive overhaul. Companies began slowly clearing the call, and the last of the 5" was wrapped up around 1:30 p.m. A Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal will be investigating the cause of the fire.