2-alarm dwelling fire on White Horse Road
 
By Firefighter/EMT Christopher Eno
July 13, 2015
 

At 4:04PM on Monday, July 13, Station 49, along with mutual aid, was dispatched to the 400 block of White Horse Road (Route 897) in Salisbury Township for a dwelling fire.

Lancaster County Communications advised the responding units that the caller stated that there was smoke and flames in the basement and that everyone was out of the home.

Units arrived with a working fire, and requested a second alarm be struck.

The fire was placed under control at 4:46 PM, with units commencing overhaul and salvage.

Fire is believed to have started in a gas appliance in the basement.

Special Thanks to Witmer Engine 62-2 for transferring to our station to cover our area during the incident.

The final units cleared the scene at 6:38PM.
 
Units: Engine 49-1, Engine 49-2, Squad 49-1, Ambulance 49-1, Station 49 Fire Police, Station 49 Ladies Auxiliary (Tanker 49 out of service for maintenance)
 
Mutual Aid: Engine 42-2, Truck 42, Rescue 42 (Gap); Engine 44-1, Tanker 44, Squad 44-1 (Intercourse); Air 39, Engine 39-2, Engine 39-3, Tanker 39 (Garden Spot); Engine 45-2 & Tanker 45 (Kinzer); Engine 33-1 & Engine 33-5 (Honey Brook); Tanker 34 (Churchtown); Tanker 52-2 (Christiana); Tanker 43 (Gordonville); Rescue 47 (Paradise); Ambulance 46-1 (Christiana EMS); Engine 62-2 (Witmer)
 
Hyperlinks: Lancaster Online
Gap Fire Company
 
Fire conditions prior to arrival of the fire units. (Photo Courtesy of Chris Kennedy/Gap FC)
Fire conditions prior to arrival of the fire units. (Photo Courtesy of Chris Kennedy/Gap FC)
Engine 49-1 crews making the initial attack. (Photo Courtesy of Chris Kennedy/Gap FC)
Engine 49-1 crews making the initial attack. (Photo Courtesy of Chris Kennedy/Gap FC)
 
Engine 49-1 crews making the initial attack. (Photo Courtesy of Chris Kennedy/Gap FC)
Engine 49-1 crews making the initial attack. (Photo Courtesy of Chris Kennedy/Gap FC)
Taking a breather... (Photo Courtesy of Chris Kennedy/Gap FC)
Taking a breather... (Photo Courtesy of Chris Kennedy/Gap FC)
 
Atmospheric conditions took their toll on the crews. (Photo Courtesy of Chris Kennedy/Gap FC)
Atmospheric conditions took their toll on the crews. (Photo Courtesy of Chris Kennedy/Gap FC)
Captain Steinmetz operating Engine 49-1 (Photo Courtesy of Chris Kennedy/Gap FC)
Captain Steinmetz operating Engine 49-1 (Photo Courtesy of Chris Kennedy/Gap FC)
 
Mutual Aid units staging on White Horse Road
Mutual Aid units staging on White Horse Road
EMS units and additional mutual aid fire units also staged in an adjacent driveway
EMS units and additional mutual aid fire units also staged in an adjacent driveway
 
Engine 49-2 took the driveway behind Truck 42
Engine 49-2 took the driveway behind Truck 42
Truck 42 set up in the driveway
Truck 42 set up in the driveway
 
Engine 49-1 was the first arriving unit, and deployed multiple handlines.
Engine 49-1 was the first arriving unit, and deployed multiple handlines.
Northwest corner of the home
Northwest corner of the home
 
Gordonville Firefighters standing by at the entrance to the basement.
Gordonville Firefighters standing by at the entrance to the basement.
Southwest corner of the home
Southwest corner of the home
 
Multiple ladders were thrown to provide egress to the firefighters if needed.
Multiple ladders were thrown to provide egress to the firefighters if needed.
Northeast corner of the home.
Northeast corner of the home.
 
Gordonville and Garden Spot Firefighters removing debris from the basement
Gordonville and Garden Spot Firefighters removing debris from the basement
The first floor sustained smoke and heat damage
The first floor sustained smoke and heat damage
 
Engine 49-1 was the first arriving unit, and deployed multiple handlines.
Engine 49-1 was the first arriving unit, and deployed multiple handlines.
Damaged stoves and baking equipment removed from the basement
Damaged stoves and baking equipment removed from the basement
 
Engine 49-2 took the driveway behind Truck 42
Engine 49-2 took the driveway behind Truck 42
Garden Spot firefighters giving the basement one last soaking
Garden Spot firefighters giving the basement one last soaking
 
Crews cleaning Engine 49-1's handlines
Crews cleaning Engine 49-1's handlines
Station 49 Ladies Auxiliary and neighborhood ladies providing refreshments to the firefighters.
Station 49 Ladies Auxiliary and neighborhood ladies providing refreshments to the firefighters.
 
The point of ignition .
The point of ignition .
The damage to the basement as a result of the fire.
The damage to the basement as a result of the fire.
 
Crews repacking Engine 49-1's hoselines
Crews repacking Engine 49-1's hoselines
Squad 49-1 and Station 49 Fire Police closing White Horse Road.
Squad 49-1 and Station 49 Fire Police closing White Horse Road.
 
Ambulance 49-1 clearing the scene
Ambulance 49-1 clearing the scene
Smoke visible from Spring Garden Road (Photo submitted by Cody Kurtz)
Smoke visible from Spring Garden Road (Photo submitted by Cody Kurtz)