Berkeley Springs Vol. Fire Co.

******PRESS RELEASE******
Residential Structure Fire
543 Grove Heights Road

In the evening hours of Tuesday December 8, 2020 crews from Berkeley Springs and several surrounding stations were alerted to a report of a residential structure fire. The dispatch was made at 19:46 hours. Wagon 1 responded at 19:54 hours followed by Engine 12 and Rescue Squad 1. Wagon 1 was the first arriving Suppression apparatus and arrived moments after Morgan County EMS Medic 7-1. An off duty paramedic on the scene was reporting the residence to be evacuated and informed incoming crews of fire showing on side Delta at the Delta / Charlie corner.

Wagon 1 arrived shortly after the report and initially advanced an attack line to the Delta side to begin knocking the fire. Once additional personnel arrived from Hancock VFC and Great Cacapon VFC crews advanced a second attack line to the interior where the immediately were met with “Colliers Mansion” conditions. A third line was deployed off the bumper of Wagon 1 mid-way into the incident to the Bravo side. Great Cacapon Tanker 2 acted as a Nurse Tanker during the fire operations. The fire was deemed knocked down at 20:12 hours. Crews were faced with slight winds at approximately 10mph from the West which enhanced fire spread. The fire made it into the attic and ran the roof. The sole occupant of the residence was evaluated on the scene by Morgan County EMS and refused transport to the hospital by ambulance and went POV. Later update from family indicated the resident was transferred to Washington Hospital Center in Washington DC for precaution due to the extent of injuries sustained. There was one feline deceased in the fire. No firefighter injuries were reported. Due to the civilian injury the incident was referred to the West Virginia State Fire Marshals Office for further investigation. At time of press release the cause is believed to be a candle that ignited a wreath.

Units operated on the scene until 22:45 hours.

Units on scene:

Wagon 1, Engine 12, Rescue Squad 1 (BSVFC)
Engine 21, Tanker 2, Truck 2 (Great Cacapon VFC)
Engine 311, Tanker 325 (South Morgan VFC)
Engine 52, Engine Tanker 5 (Hancock VFC)
Tanker 43 (Orleans VFC)
Engine 55, Tanker 55 (Needmore VFC)
Rescue Squad 4 (Clear Spring VFC)
Medic 71 (Morgan County EMS)
Air Unit 251 and Rehab 255 (Washington County Support Services)
Morgan County Deputy Reserves

Hedgesville Rescue Engine 31 transferred to Berkeley Springs Station 1 for the duration of the incident.

Photo Credits: Andy Stotler

I appreciate those who were patient on the issuing of the press release.

The Berkeley Springs Vol Fire Company responded to two fires yesterday. The first was at 1211 hours as a Mutual Aide to assist Hancock VFC at 12352 Seavolt Road on a Woods Fire. Wagon 1 responded. Hancock Engine 51 was the first to arrived reporting a 50x100 area involved. Wagon 1 arrived and was assigned to fill brush trucks as needed. No brush trucks required water as they extinguished the fire with the water on Engine 51, Brush 5, and Brush 43. Crew from Wagon 1 operated for a total of 51 minutes from time of dispatch.

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