Pennsville Fire & Rescue Co. # 1

Companies were dispatched to a working dwelling fire at 1139 hours on the 27th of January. Upon arrival, first units found moderate amounts of smoke coming from the rear of the structure. A hydrant located on the eastern side of South Broadway was utilized for water supply.

Since the engine and truck arrived simultaneously, the interior crew from the truck was the first to make entry to the fire building. This crew consisted of FF Chris Reed and FF Larry Zimmerman. Reed and Zimmerman battled dense smoke searching the first floor for occupants. Narrow hallways with piled obstructions also added to the difficulty in performing the search.

As the crew from Engine 5 made their way through the dense smoke, they met up with the truck crew who had located the area involved in fire. With visibility still at a minimum, FF Mike Khairzada, attacked the fire. FF Heather McManus, accompanied Khairzada. Soon after the initial attack, McManus called for ventilation.

The fire attack resumed with Reed and McManus forging into the actual fire room. Just after their entry to the fire room, the floor dropped a couple of inches due to degradation of the support members. The fire fighters quickly removed themselves from the area and reported what had occurred to the command post. McManus was questioned as to the structural stability of the remainder of the area. She indicated that it appeared to be sound.

At that point, Engine 71 was arriving. Engine 71’s crew was instructed to pull a hand line to the rear of the structure to deal with fire impinging on an oil storage tank. The remainder of the crew was to place a back up line in place and perform a search of the number two floor.

Additional companies were assigned as they reported to the IC. Engine 61’s crew was detailed to the number one floor to assist with ventilation and pulling of walls and ceilings. Rescue 11 was advised to drop a second four-inch line for a second water source. Rescue 11’s crew was assigned to assist Truck 5’s crew with vertical ventilation. The remainder of Rescue 11’s crew was assigned ground ladders.

Reports from Deputy Chief Miller and Chief Hoffman proved invaluable, as they were able to assess the situation from within the structure and report such.

Crews from other responding pieces filled in the gaps where personnel were in demand. Engine 72’s crew concentrated their efforts to the outside rear where portions of the involved materials were only accessible. The crew from Fire Points Fire Company’s Ladder 17 was assigned to cut a hole in the floor of the bathroom of the number one floor. Under the direction of FF Reed and Chief Hoffman, the hole was cut and a ‘Little Giant’ ladder was lowered into a crawl space type area that extended under the partial collapse. This area was exposed and all fire was extinguished.

I spoke with the owner/occupant of the building, Phil Spinelli. He told me that the heater had broken overnight. He had called Ross Fogg Oil Company earlier in the morning to have them stop out to look into repairing the unit. In the meantime, Mr. Spinelli was making attempts to repair the heater. His efforts brought him to the rear interior of the house where he was changing oil filters in an area cluttered with spare building materials. Spinelli was utilizing an electrically powered light that fell and ignited some of the materials. Mr. Spinelli then made unsuccessful attempts to extinguish the fire prior to the fire being reported by a passerby, Police Chief Kurt Shoemaker.

In conclusion, the fire was held to the area of origin. There were no civilian injuries. There were no fire fighter injuries.

Respectfully Submitted,
Keith D. Simpkins, Deputy Chief

What went right vs what went wrong…

Went right

• Fire attack through the front door
• Four fire fighters on the interior of the structure making headway within moments of arrival
• Truck positioning allowed utilization of the main
• Interior portions involved in fire quickly knocked down
• Balloon frame construction still standing
• Chief’s aide worked out well (mainly because I tossed the 500 radio)

Went wrong

• Dead batteries limited communications
• Every incoming company wanted incoming orders
• We need to identify what piece is supposed to drop a second supply line
• Horizontal ventilation was slow and not reported
• Not enough ground laddering

Filed under: Scrap Book