On January 3rd, 2008, Station 17, Engine and
Ladder 16 and Rescue 30 were dispatched for a structure fire in the 600 block
of Homestead Road
in Alban Park. Chief Hayes (17-8) arrived on
scene at 02:06 Hours and advised he had 2 separate alarms. Both were middle of
the row town homes on the opposite sides of the street with smoke showing. 17-8
upgraded both alarms to working structure fires. The upgrade added Wilmington
Fire Department Engine and Rescue 1, Tower 2 and Battalion Chief 4, as well as
Engine and Rescue 14 and Station 2 and 21. Engine 14-5 was under the
command of FF S. Martin with a crew of 3 along with Rescue 14, under the
command of Fire Lt. B. Florian with a crew of 5.
Engine17-5 arrived and began an aggressive attack of the fire in the basement
of 610. The other part of the crew went down the road to 629 and extinguished a
small fire in the garage with water cans. Meanwhile at 610 Homestead, Rescue 30 arrived and hand
stretched a 400’ supply line to supply 17-5. Ladder 17 crew searched &
vented windows and assisted w/ fire suppression. 16-5 took the rear of the
building and gained access into the garage where they found two cars on fire.
Engine 14-5 arrived on scene and staged at the hydrant and the crew began to
walk up to the scene. Rescue 14 crew pulled up behind Ladder 17. WFD E1 was
assigned RIT and WFD R1’s crew handled the number 2 floor. 17-8 then assigned
14-5 crew to check out apartment
612. Crews proceeded to the basement and found a heavy smoke
condition. Rescue 14 crew went to 608 and assisted WFD Rescue 1 Crew. Then
Rescue 14 crew went into 612 and began to pull ceiling due to fire spreading
through a mansard overhand and 14-5 Crew advanced a 2 inch line up to the
number 2 floor. Situation placed under control at 02:56hrs with units working.
Engine 14-5 was cleared the scene and returned to quarters at 03:30. Rescue 14’s
crew stayed at the scene and assisted with overhauling and the clean up. The
State Fire Marshal has determined both fire to be arson and is investigating.
Stations Responding: 17, 14, 16, 30, 21, 22, 20, WFD: E1,R1,T2,BC 4,
ALS 16, Medic 3 and FM 21