News

Working Structure Fire - 45 Harkins Drive, Green Meadow II
Monday, June 6, 2011

***************UPDATE**************** June 15, 2011 A fire last week that displaced a Smyrna family was deliberately set. An investigation revealed that the fire was an arson, Deputy State Fire Marshal Brian Schad said today. Fire investigators are asking anyone with information on this fire to call the state Fire Marshal’s Office at 739-4447 or Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333. Story by Eugene Tucker, Public Information Officer Photos by Mike O'Malley-Historian On Monday 6/6/11 at 8:01 pm,Citizens' Hose Company along with the American Legion Ambulance were dispatched to a reported house fire in the Green Meadows II development, located on the east side of town. Within 2 minutes of being dispatched, 2 Engines,the Ladder and the Rescue responded fully staffed, and at 8:06 pm Engine 44-2 under the command of Chief Tate Coulbourne arrived to report heavy smoke showing from the front of the residence. With the confirmation of a working fire an additional engine made the response. Chief Coulbourne ordered 2 - 1 1/2" and 1- 1 3/4" handlines be placed into service. Making entry into the front door and front garage with Lt Moran being placed in charge of the interior operations initially. Upon forcing the front door crews encountered heavy fire, and an already collapsed stairway to the second floor. Ladder 44 under the direction of 1st Asst Chief Isaac Willis was ordered to set the ladder to the roof. The crew from the ladder split up and half were assigned to assist with ventilation and throwing ground ladders and the other half was ordered to assist interior crews with a primary search of a possible victim on the second floor. Engine 44-3 under the command of Lt Rutledge was ordered to pick up the supply line and grab the hydrant that was near the residence. Once the supply was established the crew of Engine 3 began assisting suppression operations. Rescue 44 under the command of Captain Pappas arrived and supplemented the ladder crew with ventilation of the interior and exterior, with Captain Pappas taking over the roof operations. Engine/Rescue 44-4 arrived under the command of 2nd Asst Chief Isaac Hankins and he was ordered to have his crew perform a secondary search for any victims, and assume interior operations. After an aggressive suppression effort and ventilation work, and the interior reporting the search completed with no victims, Chief Coulbourne declared the fire under control within 26 minutes of arriving on scene. The foyer area, living room, and kitchen area of the home sustained fire damage and the remaining portion of the house received heavy smoke and heat damage throughout. Cheswold Fire Company transfered an engine to standby for Smyrna while they were on scene of the blaze, and remained at the station for 2 hours. 6 pieces of equipment from Citizens' Hose Company responded to the blaze with 63 personnel in service, and we were assisted by The American Legion Ambulance, Delaware State Fire Marshals Office, Town of Smyrna Electric and Police Departments. Smyrna apparatus remained in service for 2 hours and 6 minutes, there were no injuries reported and the Fire Marshalls Office is conducting the investigation. No value of damage was available at the time of the release A great job was performed by all personnel on scene. See the audio/video section of the website for a home video shot on the cell phone of the neighbors.