Local Structural Fire Is Put To Rest By SFPD And Company

At 06:43 on Monday, July 29, 2024, the Staunton Fire Protection District (SFPD) was dispatched to the report of heavy smoke coming from a residential structure at 707 East Pennsylvania Street. A person walking in the area initially reported the smoke emitting from the house.

Initial SFPD resources dispatched to the scene were Engine 4912, Engine 4913, Squad 4951 and Chief 4900 in his personal vehicle. Enroute to the scene SFPD units were informed that there was a Staunton Police Officer on scene and he reported the structure was unoccupied and it was filled with heavy smoke.

SFPD Chief 4900 arrived on scene first and was met by the SPD Chief. The SPD Chief indicated that the structure was unoccupied and that the owners were in the process of rehabbing the building. Due to the heavy smoke conditions, the SFPD Chief immediately requested a first and second box alarm to bring additional mutual aid resources to the scene.

SFPD Engine 4912 arrived on scene first and set up in front of the structure on Pennsylvania Street. A water supply was established by connecting to the fire hydrant in front of the residence. Engine 4913 arrived on scene and set up on Taylor Street. Squad 4951 arrived on scene and set up on Pennsylvania Street east of the incident.

An attack team of SFPD personnel forced entry into the structure. They were met by very heavy smoke and heat. They advanced a hand line into the structure and found the main fire area in the kitchen area. After extinguishing the kitchen fire, they move to the laundry room and extinguished the fire in that area.

As the initial fire attack was being initiated, mutual aid resources began to arrive and were assigned to assist with back up lines, ventilation and scene accountability.

Mutual Aid Responding Resources:

Mt. Olive Fire District, Engine;

Olive Fire District, Engine and Squad;

New Douglas Fire District, Engine;

Hamel Fire District, Engine;

Bunker Hill Fire District. Engine;

Unit 7 Fire District, 2 Engines, Squad and Ladder Truck;

Staunton Ambulance Service, Ambulance;

MABAS 35 Rehab Team, Support Vehicle

Staunton Police, Car.

After the fire was knocked down, fans were set up to remove the heavy smoke from the building. Thermal imaging cameras were used to check both the basement and attic areas to ensure the fire did not extend to those areas.

Crews were sent back into the building to conduct overhaul operations to ensure the fire was completely extinguished. Additional fans were set up and all windows on the structure were opened to remove the smoke and heat. Crews stood by and monitored the building to ensure there was no possible re-kindles. Mutual aid resources were released as SFPD units continued to monitor the structure.

The heavy smoke and high heat in the building made it difficult to initially find the source of the fire.The initial attack team did a great job of finding the fire source in the thick smoke. Also, there were no injuries to the residents or responders.

There was extensive fire damage in the kitchen and laundry room areas of the structure.

There was smoke damage throughout the structure.

The building was being rehabbed at the time so there was no furniture or personal belongings in the structure. The fire started in the kitchen area of the building. The initial investigation indicated the potential cause of the fire was an electrical fault associated with the refrigerator.

The length of time the incident took to be subdued was about one hour and 53 minutes. The quick work by SFPD personnel controlled the fire before it could spread to other portions of the structure. Excellent mutual aid support was provided by multiple area fire departments. The Staunton Police Department provided traffic and crowd control and the Staunton Public Works Department closed roads in the incident area. The Staunton Area Ambulance and MABAS 35 Rehab Team provided rehab services for firefighters.

SFD Contact Person:

Chief Rick Haase