Thunderstorm brings 5 calls to Station 4-9

A fast moving thunderstorm came through Lancaster County on the evening of Tuesday, August 18. This storm resulted in 5 calls for Station 4-9\
\
*At 7:18PM, Squad 4-9 and Station 4-9 Fire Police were dispatched to the 5000 block of Diem Road in Earl Township for a tree down in the roadway, leaning on utility wires. The Squad and Fire Police were released by the East Earl Township Police at 7:26 to respond to the just dispatched barn fire.\
\
*At 7:26, Station 4-9 was dispatched to assist the Intercourse Fire Company (Station 4-4) on a working barn fire in the 4000 block of Old Philadelphia Pike in Leacock Township. Engine 4-9-1, Engine 4-9-2, Tanker 4-9, Squad 4-9, and the Fire Police all responded within minutes. Chief 4-4 (Diener) and Deputy 4-4 (Yoder) both arrived on the scene with a fully involved barn and requested the second alarm be struck. Ambulance 4-9 was dispatched as part of the second, and also responded within minutes. \
\
The fire was placed under control at 10:06. After a lengthy overhaul, the last of the 4-9 units cleared the scene at 3:21AM, while the final units cleared the scene at 3:32AM. The cause of the fire is listed as a lighting strike from the thunderstorm.\
\
*At 8:42, Gap Engine 4-2-2 and Squad 4-2 covered for Station 4-9 and responded to the 300 block of Compass Road in Salisbury Township for a tree down in the roadway. The Gap units cleared the scene at 8:54PM.\
\
*At 8:55, Squad 4-2 responded to Beaver Dam Road in the area of Guy Road in Salisbury Township for a tree across the road. Squad 4-2 cleared the scene at 9:12PM.\
\
*At 9:31, Chief 4-1 (Kauffman) reported to Command 4-4 of a partial barn collapse at the farm immediately west of the barn fire. Squad 4-9 and Brush 4-4 were redirected from the barn fire, while Bareville Engine 3-1-1 responded from Station 4-4, to assist with securing the structure, which was severely damaged by winds from the thunderstorm. After the barn was secured, it was turned back over to the property owner, and Squad 4-9 returned to the barn fire at 10:32PM.\
\
\
*As a side note of interest, Ambulance 4-9 had 4 EMS calls in the time frame from 7:24PM to 11:46PM\
\