TREDYFFRIN TWP., PA - On Monday, May 15, 2017 at 2:04 p.m., the Berwyn Fire Company, along with mutual aid units were dispatched to the area of Walker Road and Anthony Wayne Drive for a house fire. The initial 9-1-1 caller reported the rear of the residence was on fire with an elderly resident unaccounted for at the property.

The Tredyffrin Township Police Department corrected the location to the 200 block of Walker Road upon their arrival and confirmed a fire in the single family residence. Upon receipt of this information, additional resources were requested to assist per standard procedure.

The crews of Berwyn Engine 2-1 and Tower 2 responded in less than 2 minutes from dispatch with 7 personnel. First arriving firefighters were met with an exterior fire on the back of the house that had extended into the attic space and roof. Berwyn Deputy Fire Chief Justin Brundage arrived on location and established Walker Road Command at 2:13 p.m. It was quickly determined the house was vacant and was under renovation after being sold recently. However, the home was still searched by crews to ensure no occupants were trapped since there was conflicting information.

The majority of the fire was knocked down within 30 minutes, but crews spent a considerable amount of time opening up walls and ceilings to extinguish hidden pockets of fire. All personnel and apparatus were clear of the scene by 5:10 p.m. There were no reported civilian injuries, but one firefighter suffered minor burns to the head.

The following fire/EMS companies responded to this fire; Berwyn Fire Company, Radnor Fire Company, Valley Forge Volunteer Fire Company, Goshen Fire Company, Lionville Fire Company, Kimberton Fire Company, and Jefferson Fire Company. A total of 45 volunteers and 9 paid personnel assisted with fire suppression, EMS, or traffic control throughout the incident.

Firefighters were also aided in the early stages of the incident by Officers of the Tredyffrin Township Police Department and a number of residents in moving nearly 800 feet of hose to one of the two fire hydrants utilized to extinguish the blaze. This was much appreciated and is a great example of the teamwork we depend on during these types of calls.

The Paoli Fire Company, Malvern Fire Company EMS, and East Whiteland Fire Company stood by to cover the greater Tredyffrin-Easttown area from Berwyn’s firehouse while crews operated during this incident.

PECO was also called, per standard protocol, to secure the electric to the residence to ensure no first responders were injured. Walker Road was closed between West Valley Road and Valley Forge Elementary School, along with Anthony Wayne Drive between Sullivan Road and Brookmead Road as crews worked to extinguish the fire.

The Chester Fire County Fire Marshal’s Office investigated the cause of the fire and determined it to be accidental in nature. The total building loss is estimated at $525,000.

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All photos courtesy of David Smiley, Jr., Nozzle Nut Photography 2017.