Residential Working Fire

All MCFD stations were alerted for a possible structure fire on Saturday, January 17th at approximately 1415 hours.  A neighbor called 911 to report smoke and fire showing from 4822 Glencrest Avenue (Box 3206) with someone possibly inside the structure.  Minutes prior to that dispatch, MCFD Stations 1 & 4 were dispatched for a reported vehicle fire on Rt. 481 near the county line.   Battalion 2 (B/C Fritz) arrived on Glencrest Ave. to find a 2 story, wood frame raised ranch with heavy fire on the second floor and immediately struck a Signal 99 and assumed Command.  Engine 31 (Capt. Jennings) arrived within minutes, established the primary water supply on the hydrant across from the structure, and initiated an aggressive interior attack with a 1 3/4" handline in the front door.  31's crew encountered fire banking down the landing of the foyer and pushed the fire back as they made and protected the stairs.  It appeared that the fire was running the attic, so Truck 2 (Lt. Driscoll) sent a crew to the roof while the remainder of the crew went inside for overhaul.  Engine 32 (Capt. Lyons), worked on a secondary water supply, and pulled a second line and assisted with suppression on the second floor.  Engine 22 (Lt. Patkochis), worked on a third water supply, and performed a primary search on the second floor with Squad 2 (Capt. Naum).  Rescue 3 (Lt. Dembowski) established the RIT team in front of the structure.  Engine 41 (Capt. Crispin) worked with E22 on the third water supply while the crew performed additional searches in the structure.  Interior crews made quick work of the fire and prevented it from running the length of the attic.   However, the house sustained heavy fire damage to the second floor and attic.  All searches resulted in negative results for victims (the homeowner arrived during the incident).  Additional support crews on scene were Ladder 1 (Capt. Kenyon) who assisted with overhaul and Engine 12 (F/F Fritz) who staged after clearing the car fire.  Chief officers supporting Command were Car 1 (Chief Bressette) as Operations, Car 2 (D/C Zaferakis) as Safety, and Battalion 3 (B/C Chura) as Interior.

Fortunately for the crews, the fire occurred during a "heat wave".  Temperatures in the days preceeding the fire were below zero, with wind chills in the -20 to -30 degree range.  Temperatures at the time of the fire were in the 20's making the operating environment somewhat comfortable.  However, the recent cold snap did have an affect on the operations.  Two of the three hydrants hit during the incident were frozen.  The primary water supply established by E31 was difficult to open, but provided enough water for the operation.  

The crews made a quick stop to a well-involved fire, thus preventing extensive damage to the structure.  Great job to all!