At 17:06 hours, Station 20 was dispatched to 3691 Logans Ferry Road in the first due for a report of smoke coming from the eaves of a house. Lieutenant 2-1 (Strawpump) on scene reporting a working house fire. Second call reporting possible entrapment. Chief 20 arrived on scene to find a two story wooden framed residential with smoke showing. Truck 20 with a crew of five was first on scene and took the front of the structure. Truck 20 crew was assigned interior operations and pulled an 1-3/4" attack line into the structure. While crews were performing the primary and secondary searches, ground ladders were thrown to sides A and C (SOC 78 crew), the PPV fan was setup, and additional tools were staged in the front yard for next arriving crews.
Rescue 20 picked up the hydrant at 3576 Logans Ferry Road and layed into the scene. The Rescue ended up dropping its entire 900 feet of 5" large diameter hose (LDH). The chauffer from both the Truck and the Rescue along with EMT Nichols and LT-2 handjacked the remaining 200 feet of LDH to complete the lay.
Captain 20 was in charge of staging of personnel. Crews from 22, 64, 78, and 236 stood by while awaiting additional orders. Interior crews reported heavy smoke and heat within the dwelling but could not locate the fire. Both the primary and secondary searches proved negative. The fire had apparently burnt itself out after running out of air only after causing extensive heat and smoke damage to the entire house. Crews then ventilated the structure and performed overhaul. Once overhaul was complete, the investigation into the origin and cause of the fire began. The fire appeared to be accidental in nature with the origin in the living room area of the structure.
Thanks to Salvage 22 for boarding up the windows and securing the residence as well as the crew from 86 (Trafford) that provided standby coverage for us!
The two occupants of the home were assisted on scene by Pastor Dan (Murrysville Fire and Police Chaplain).
