On August 8, 2009, at approximately 0120, Lancaster County Wide Communications (LCWC) alerted MTFR units from Neffsville (27), Southern Manheim Twp (211) and mutual aid from East Petersburg (23) for a reported building fire at 37 Wythe Circle. Assistant Chief Slaymaker (Chief 272) went enroute and was advised from LCWC of multiple reports of a working fire, now believed to be a dwelling. Chief Slaymaker advised heavy fire and smoke from a mile out. Upon arrival Chief Slaymaker advised a well involved house and established Command. Command requested a 2nd alarm 3 minutes after arrival. Engine 211-3 (Southern Manheim Twp.) was the first arriving engine and wrapped the hydrant and the end of the street and layed in. Command instructed E211-3 to pull a handline for exposure control on side Bravo and provide a supply for the first arriving truck. Engine 272 arrived, hooked up the hydrant and pulled a handline to the Charlie side. Truck 23 (East Petersburg) arrived and set up master stream operations on side Alpha. After the truck was set up, water supply was established; they completed 3 sweeps of the house to knock the bulk of the fire down.
 
The 2nd alarm apparatus were instructed to stage at the end of the street and send their manpower to staging. Engine 251 (Lititz) was re-directed to Station 27 for stand-by and was told they would be handling the Township.
 
As a result of a quick initial size up, a 360 of the dwelling and experience of reading the structure, the Command Staff, Chief Slaymaker (Chief 272), Chief Elliott (Chief 27) and Chief Kane (Chief 20), the operation mode was to go defensive. Unfortunately the residence died in the fire. A female was home at the time of the fire. Since the structure was heavily damaged and collapsed, she was found in the basement. During the investigation, it was determined that she was originally in the 2nd floor bedroom, right side, side Alpha (Closet to the Garage).
 
The attached photo was taken 3 minutes after Chief Slaymaker arrived.
 
This is a good training tool to show how things are to be done. After Chief Slaymaker arrived he determined that the house and occupants inside would be a write off. How can anyone with that much fire showing survive? All in all no fire service personnel received injury and ALL WENT HOME.
 
Submitted by:     Assistant Chief Troy Slaymaker
                        MTFR Station 27
                        Neffsville Fire Company