At 10:02 hrs on January 25, 2009 Stations 12, 22, 21 and 23 were dispatched for a report of a house fire on Red Oak drive in New London Twp. The home owner reported seeing sparks in the basement from the breaker box.
Assistant 22 arrived on location and met the homeowner at the end of the driveway. After pulling closer to the house he reported smoke showing from the residence and requested the working fire dispatch.
Engine 12 arrived and dropped their 5" supply line at the end of the approximately 700' long driveway. Engine 21-2 picked up the line and laid back to a nearby hydrant. Ladder 22 and 21 were both able to pull into the driveway before the 5" supply line was charged.
Engine 12's crew stretched a 2" line to the front of the building. Prior to making entry to the building the fire vented itself, allowing a fresh oxygen supply to the fire, creating a heavy fire condition from Side B of the house. Engine 12's Crew made entry and located the fire room through the heavy smoke and heat.
Ladder 22's crew went to the roof and performed vertical ventilation. Ladder 21 and Engine 21-2's crew stretched a hand line to the second floor to check for extension and to perform horizontal ventilation. Due to the large open floor plan of the house the entire house was charged with heavy smoke.
It was determined that the fire was contained mainly to the 1st floor and rooms in the immediate vicinity of the fire room with minor extension into the basement. Crews cleared the scene at 1:05 pm.