Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Coatesville firefighters douse house fire
Coatesville firefighters made quick work of house fire in the city. No injuries were reported in the blaze.
It only took firefighters about 10 minutes to quell a fire Wednesday night, officials said.
Coatesville City Bureau of Fire was alerted at 9:24 p.m. Wednesday to a reported stove fire in the 100 block of Chester Avenue. Coatesville Battalion Chief James “Jim” Lentz said as the crew was arriving two minutes after the initial dispatch, the alarm was upgraded to a building fire. He said upon arrival the firefighters could see smoke coming from the front of the home.
The upgraded alarm brought additional engine companies from the Modena, Thorndale and the Veterans Affairs (VA) Fire Departments. Lentz said there was smoke on the first floor and heavy fire was evident in the kitchen. He said the firefighters controlled the fire with “very little fire spread.” The exterior of the home in the rear had some damage.
Lentz said the fire was under control within 10 minutes of arrival. The cause is not suspicious and is under investigation by the Chester County Fire Marshalls Office.
No injuries were reported. The family of three was referred to the American Red Cross for assistance.
Additionally, firefighters were assisted by the Coatesville Washington Hose Ambulance, Coatesville police and fire police who shut down that road during the incident.
“This fire being contained to one room with very little extension is an example of a fire stopped in its tracks due to a fast and efficient response, accompanied by strong teamwork between the Coatesville Fire Department and our Mutual Aid partners,” Lentz said. “Great job by all.”
He reminded homeowners that smoke detectors save lives. Twothirds of home fire deaths result from fires in homes without a working smoking alarm, according to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA). The NFPA reports that working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half. Smoke detectors are required in every bedroom and on every level of the home, including the central area just outside the bedrooms.
Visit Daily Local News staff writer Ginger Rae Dunbar’s blog about being a journalist and volunteering as a firefighter at FirefighterGinger.blogspot.com.