Pennsville Fire & Rescue Co. # 1

Orchard Court Apartment Fire

March 17th, 2009

Pennsville Fire & Rescue Company No. 1 was dispatched to a reported working building fire at the Orchard Court Apartments on Tuesday March 17th at 0829hrs. Quint 5-6 with a crew of 5 primary firefighters responded and arrived at 0835hrs. Additional units dispatched were Station 7, Engine 6-1, Rescue 11-9, RIC 12 and BLS 5. Dispatch initially advised report of heavy smoke showing with building being evacuated. BLS 5 reported that building maintenance person had entered apartment, applied dry chemical extinguisher to fire and then exited. Upon Quint 5-6 arrival, Chief Zimmerman (5-10) reported light smoke showing and established Orchard Court Command.

5-6’s crew stretched a 2″ line (200′) uncharged to the door and entered the bottom floor apartment with a water can. This crew consisting of Firefighter Dilks, Firefighter Tomlin and Battalion Chief Boxer completed a search, reported negative findings for occupants and advised kitchen fire which appeared to be contained to the same area. Battalion Chief Boxer assumed Interior Operations, reported crew to be knocking down remaining visible fire and opening up to check for extension. Utility 5-7 assigned to establish water supply. Rescue 7-9 crew detailed to search #2 floor apartment, reported negative findings. Chauffer Endres Sr. set-up fan, prepared aerial ladder for operations. Deputy (1) Fire Marshall Hoffman assumed Accountability. PPV placed in service to ventilate area. Under control at 0846hrs, fire confirmed to be contained to area of origin with negative extension; units made available.

Tenant reported catching robe on fire while cooking at stove and spreading fire as attempting to extinguish. Tenant then self-evacuated apartment. Both tenant and building maintenance sent to BLS 5 for evaluation, both refused medical services. There were no reported civilian or firefighter injuries from this incident. Station 5 units returned to station at 0926hrs.