On Sunday September 5th, reports of a garage fire on Girard Ave. in Milmont Park came into the Delaware County 911 Center around 2 pm. Several reports came in that the fire was through the roof. The garage was owned by a self contractor, and also stored 2 classic cars inside. Second reports came in that the fire was dangerously close to a neighboring garage.

Companies from Milmont (49), Vauclain (62), Folsom (18), Holmes (43), and Swarthmore (14) were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival Milmont Deputy Chief Jay Valpone (49-9A) reported a garage approximately 150 by 50 feet, well off, with an exposure problem to a second garage. Engine 49 proceeded into the scene to the D side, while Pipeline 62 hooked into a hydrant on Girard Ave to supply Engine 49. Orders were given to Ladder and Squirt 43 to take the second driveway, and prepare to go into a master stream operations. Engine 18 was given orders to hook to a hydrant on the other end of Girard Ave. to supply Ladder and Squirt 43. RIT teams from Swarthmore and Prospect Park Fire Co. (08), were sent to stand by on both the B and D side of the building. Several propane and acetylene gas bottles ignited inside the garage, but did not explode. Firefighters immediately set up a defensive line near the bottles on the C-D side of the building.

Crews from Holmes and Folsom worked with master streams and hand lines on the B side of the garage, while firefighters on the D side, were in defensive mode with 2 hand lines, and 2 deck guns. Firefighters on the D side reported live wires down in the rear, as well as some magnesium lighting off on the D side. Crews from Eddystone Fire Co. (12) were called into the scene, and took a defensive position on the C side of the building. Crews also reported structural collapse on the D side of the building, and the roof was also starting to cave in. Crews were advised to stay clear of the A side of the building, and to keep a distance on the D side.

Firefighters worked for some time in defensive mode, before master streams were shut down to check on the extent of the damage. Firefighters on the D side worked with hand lines to extinguish fire that had extended into the A-D side of the garage. Firefighters from Holmes, worked off of Ladder 43, to pull the roof of the A-D side of the garage, while firefighters worked a hand line to reach the extension. Crews reopened master streams to wet down the scene for about a half hour, before investigators arrived.

Firefighters worked for about 2 hours before the fire was declared under control. Crews remained on scene for several hours with overhaul. Command requested a back hoe from the Ridley Twp. Highway Dept., so that investigators could go through the debris. Smoke from the fire could be seen from 2 miles away. One firefighter was transported to a local hospital and later released for observation. Deputy Chief Valpone reported the estimated loss to be around $800,000, and also said “It took about 100 firefighters from several companies to extinguish the fire, and it was a job well done by all those on scene.”

Assisting Milmont (49), were companies from Vauclain (62), Folsom (18), Holmes (43), Eddystone (12), Upland (57), and Marcus Hook-Trainer (68). Also on scene were RIT Teams from Swarthmore (14), and Prospect Park (08), and the Leedom (70) Air Bank. EMS units assisting were from the Vauclain (62) Ambulance, and Medics from Ridley 7 EMS.

THANK YOU to Tim Fizzano, Jack Hubbs, and Mark Dougherty for the Photos and Story!!

Just after 3:30am, companies were dispatched to the 200 block of Price Street, for a report of a fire in a basement. Ladder 43 was first to respond, and arrived on scene to a 2 story single family, with nothing showing. Upon investigation, firefighters found a smoke condition in the basement, and the response was help to the units on scene. Tower 49 went available just after responding. At the time of this story no further reports were available.

Just around 5pm, tones dropped for a report of a building fire in the 300 block of Woodlyn Circle. Reports were that the fire was in or on the oven in the kitchen. Squirt 67 responded within seconds, and the 49ers rolled the Tower with a crew of 4. Upon arrival 67-9 found the fire to be out with a smoke condition in the house. The assignment was held to the Squirt and Tower, while crews worked with fans to ventilate the smoke. Tower 49 was on scene for about 15 minutes before returning to the station.  This was the second call today for Milmont.

Just after 1:30 pm Milmont and the rest of the building response was alerted for a Gas Leak inside of a residence in the 400 block of Ohio Ave, in Milmont Park. Engine 49-1 responded within minutes, and upon arrival found a strong odor of gas in the house. The house was evacuated while firefighters investigated. The leak was found to be coming from a flex pipe behind the stove. As the resident was cleaning the stove she noticed the strong odor. PECO was called, and arrived on scene within the usual one hour mark. The gas was secured and the house was ventilated before companies went available. Assisting the 49ers was Engine 18, Ladder 43, Ambulance 62, and Medic Ridley 7.

       The Officers and Members of the Milmont Fire Company would like to thank everyone who helped in the rememberence of Deputy Chief Charles Hornberger. From those who helped with  the preparation of the funeral, to all of the Cover Fire Companies, to all assisting in the Honor Guard Detail, the numerous Fire Companies assisting with the arches and Procession to Charlie's final resting place. From all of us from the Milmont Fire Company, thank you again for helping us honor and celebrate the life of Charles Hornberger.

     The Milmont Fire Company regrets to announce the LINE OF DUTY DEATH of Charles Hornberger. Charlie passed away on July 12th from complications of a heart attack he had after a call on June 30th 2010. Call #45 came in at 11:32 on June 30, 2010, for a fire alarm at the Target Building on MacDade and Milmont Ave.  After the call, Charlie suffered a severe heart attack, and was rushed to Taylor Hospital.

     Charlie was a life member of the Milmont Fire Company, as well as the Vauclain, Holmes and past Rutledge Fire Companies. Charlie held the position of Assistant Engineer, as well as past Deputy Chief of the Milmont Fire Company, and Past Chief of the Vauclain Fire Company. He was also a Dispatcher of 20 years for Ridley Twp. as well as Delaware County. He was an avid fire truck collector, and also enjoyed model railroading. Charlie was also a member of several Delco. Organizations, to include the Delaware Valley Chiefs Assoc.., and the Shamrock Judges. Charlie touched a lot of lives throughout the fire service, and will be missed by all.
    
     Arrangements are being made at this time, and more will follow. Apparatus IS requested to attend. For more information please contact Deputy Chief Jay Volpone at 610-636-7497, or the firehouse at 610-532-3232
 

The 49ers headed down to the playground for drill. Firefighters timed each other going through the obstacle course, with gear and packs on. The first run, was with a tool in hand. However the second run was a little more intense, so no tools were needed. Captain Sean Dougherty held the best time on the first run at 45 seconds. On the harder second run, Sean held his time of 45 seconds. However last to take the course was Lt. Mark Dougherty. Mark made it through the course, beating out Sean’s time by one second, with a time of 44 seconds. Firefighters had a good time going through the course, and plan on doing this drill sometime down the road, so keep practicing guys. (Someone’s got to beat Doc’s time of 44 seconds)

The Vauclain Firefighters came down to Milmont Monday night to work on some high angle rescue operations. The 62 house, brought the Rescue down, and rigged up Milmont’s Stokes Basket to the Tower. Vauclain will be coming back to Milmont next Tuesday night for a “Multi-Company Drill”. Milmont, Folsom, Vauclain, and our friends from Darby #2 will head out for some High Angle Rescue work with Tower 49, and Ladder 21.

Around 11am Tower 49 was sent to Folsom for a report of a basement fire in the 900 block of Village Rd. Upon arrival, firefighters found a working fire in the basement, with 2 people suffering from burns. Tower 49 staged at the hydrant, and pack crews were sent to the rear of the building to assist with ventilation. Thanks to the fast response, firefighters from Folsom, Holmes, Milmont, and Woodlyn, firefighters were able to make a fast knock on the fire, before the fire could spread through the house. Later in the day, the box was struck for a report of a fire at Dellapalla’s Tavern on MacDade in Milmont Park. Reports were that there was smoke in the building, and a bad light ballast was found outside of the building. The response was held to Tower 49, for further investigation.

Just after 5pm, the alarm was struck for a report of a building fire in the 900 block of Mitchell St. in the Folsom section of Ridley Twp. Tower and Ambulance 49 responded within minutes. 18-3 arrived on scene and reported an active fire on the electrical box on the exterior of the house. PECO was notified and put on priority response. A few minutes into the call, the service line to the house broke free from the house, and grounded out on nearby wires, causing the line to light up on fire. Luckily apparatus was placed with in a safe distance of the lines, and firefighters were being kept clear of the lines when they broke free. PECO arrived soon after, and secured the power to the lines and house. Company 49 went available from the scene shortly after.

Just after 1130 am, Woodlyn was handling an accident on the Blue Route, when Engine 49 was dispatched to assist Neither Providence Twp. With a brush fire on the Blue Route near the Septa Overpass. Engine 49-1 responded and upon arrival assisted 51 by providing tank water to their truck. Firefighters from Milmont also assisted with hosing down the brush fire. Engine 49-1 was on scene about 20 minutes before returning to the station.

Just before 5pm, Tower 49 was dispatched with the rest of the Woodlyn Box for a report of a building fire, on Grant Ave. in Woodlyn. 67 Command held the assignment, before the Tower could respond. Just after 5pm, Engine 49 was dispatched to an accident on MacDade, at the new Swiss Farms. Engine 49-1 responded and upon arrival, found a 3 car accident, with 3 injuries. Firefighters worked to secure the vehicles, and check on the extent of injuries. 49-7 transported 2, while 67-7C was called in for the 3rd victim. Crews from Engine 49-1 assisted EMS as well as clean up from the accident. Crews remained on scene to wait for the hook, and for EMS to transport.