Mount Vernon Avenue Dwelling Fire
 
By Captain/EMT Dan Devitt
July 27, 2014
 

At 1620 hours Station 15-1 and BLS 1557 were dispatched to 1150 Mt. Vernon Avenue for a reported dwelling fire. Battalion 15 (Capt. Tessing) responded two minutes after dispatch and was advised that the caller was reporting a fire in the basement.

Squirt 15-1 responded under the command of Lieutenant Callahan at 1623 hours and while companies were responding they were advised that Police were on location reporting a heavy smoke condition. Ladder 15-1 responded at 1625 under the command of Captain Devitt and at the same time Squirt 15-1 and Battalion 15 arrived on location at 1626 and reported smoke showing.

Squirt 15-1 led off with one 1 ¾” hand line for fire suppression. As Squirt 15-1 entered the residence they encountered heavy smoke with zero visibility and high heat conditions. Engine 1512 responded at 1631 and was given the order to take the hydrant on Breslin Avenue and lay in per Battalion 15.

Ladder 15-1 arrived and assisted Squirt 15-1 with hose line advancement and started checking for extension. Squirt 15-1 obtained its own water supply from the hydrant at Mt. Vernon and Breslin. At 1635 hours crews had the seat of the fire in the basement knocked down. Battalion 15 requested the local FM, and PSEG.

At 1635 Engine 1512 arrived and assisted with manually opening up windows in the residence to evacuate smoke. Command placed the fire under control at 1645 hours. As the fire was placed under control, BLS 1457 was requested to check the occupant of the residence out. Companies remained on location until 1851 assisting the local FM.

For further details please see Haddon Township Fire Marshals Report.

 
Units: Squirt 15-1, Ladder 15-1, Engine 1512, BLS 1557, Duty 1518, Command 1519
 
Mutual Aid: BLS 1457