12/14/2022 @ 16:17, Crary Hose, Sabinsville Ambulance, Clymer Hose, Harrison Township, Knoxville-Deerfield, and Elkland-RIT were dispatched to 6204 Route 349, Westfield Township, to the scene of a reported structure fire. Engine 5-3 responded with a crew of 4 (FF Streeter – Operator, Chief 5-10 Skelton, FF Brubaker, FF Reed) at 16:22 to find a house trailer with flames emerging out of the center the A and C sides, with heavy dark smoke throughout the residence. Initial report was no occupants, 2 dogs possibly in structure. E5-3 crew quickly stretched a 1 3/4″ handline to the A side of the structure, controlled the doors and checked for any visible occupants as FF Streeter prepared the engine for pumping. Members from Dept 16 who responded to scene assisted in this effort. Asst Chief 5-30 Mack performed his 360 size-up and established Westfield command as the first exterior extinguishment efforts had just begun on the A side where the fire had already breached the exterior sheeting. Sabinsville Ambulance 26-7 arrived on-scene at 16:25 for EMS support.
Once the fire was darkened from A-side exterior, focus switched to the C-side where an interior attack was attempted by E5-3 crew. After halting the fire’s spread to the B-side from the interior, the attack returned to exterior-only as floor stability was an issue further into the structure. Mutual aid support began arriving and quickly provided assistance with extinguishment. An additional handline was brought into service as reliable water supply was established via tanker. Westfield units 5-2, 5-5 and 5-18 also responded with additional Dept 5 personnel: Chief 5-20 Heyler, Captain 5-80 Adams, Captain 5-90 James, FP Lieutenant Bisel, FF Denning, FF Miles, FF Earle, FF McNeely, JFF Ladd. The fire was declared under control at 16:48 and out at 17:42. All Dept 5 units returned available at 17:54.
There were no human occupants of the structure at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported on-scene. Sadly, the lives of two dogs were lost. Although we are grateful that there was no loss of human life, our hearts go out to the homeowner on their tragic loss of these pets and their possessions.
Thank you to all department and agencies who provided mutual aid support: Clymer Hose Engine 16-2 and Patrol 16-4. Harrison Township Engine 20-23, Tanker 20-25, Rescue 20-28. Knoxville-Deerfield Engine 6-2, Tanker 6-5, Patrol 6-4. Elkland RIT with Rescue 3-8. Galeton Dept 10 was added to the call with aerial unit 10-16 and stood by at Sabinsville Red, with Engine 10-3 also responding to scene. Department 11 Middlebury provided stand-by cover assignment at Westfield Red with Engine 11-2. The Fire Marshall was contacted to do a routine investigation, cause yet to be determined. Tioga County Fire Coordinator 5 provided assistance on-scene. The American Red Cross was contacted to assist the homeowner.
