Just before lunch time on Thursday, November 14th, Station 42 was dispatched to a home on Swamp Creek Road near the intersection of Whites Mill Road in Marlborough Township for a building fire. Also on the assignment were units from Tylersport Sta. 72, Upper Salford Sta. 78, Red Hill Sta. 71, Pennsburg Sta. 65 and Trumbauersville Bucks Sta. 58. Deputy 42 (J. Balmer) went responding and was given additional information that the complainants shed was on fire and was not attached to the house. Chief 72 arrived first on location and reported the exterior of a large shed on fire with extension into the woods behind it. Deputy 42 advised Chief 72 to take command of the incident and 42 command was established. Tanker and Engine 72 arrived on location and pulled lines to the rear of the structure to begin fire suppression. As other crews arrived they entered the structure and fortunately found no extension to the building. A large amount of stacked fire wood and a wood shed needed to be pulled apart requiring a lot of man power.

Crews also stretched a line into the woods to begin attacking the woods fire. The fire had burned into multiple trees and was being driven further and further into the woods by the wind. With low humidity, a light breeze and recently downed leaves, the woods fire had plenty of fuel to work with. With the crews on location stretched pretty thin, 42 command requested an engine from Lower Frederick, Station 52, to respond with manpower. A representative from the state forestry service was also requested to respond to the scene due to a very large oak tree that was burning inside. The state forestry service has crews that are specially trained in bringing down large burning trees. Crews on scene had gained control of the woods fire and the large oak tree upon the forestry representative’s arrival so their assistance was not needed. In all, and estimated ¾ to 1 acre had burned.

Crews pulled apart the burned out wood shed, extinguished hot spots around the shed and also soaked down the burned wooded area. Once all mop-up was complete, companies began to make themselves available. The state police fire marshal was notified and is investigating the fire but it does not appear to be suspicious at this time.

Thank you to all the companies that responded, including fire police, EMS and the State Forestry Rep. We apologize if we missed anyone. Corrections can be emailed to webmaster@greenlanefirerescue.org