On Saturday, November 9 at 8:52pm, the Kennett Regional Fire Department or “KRFD” (including Longwood Fire Company (25), Kennett Fire Company #1 (24), and Po-Mar-Lin Fire Company (36) responded to a two-alarm fire in a single-family residence with reported entrapment on Jacobs Way in Pennsbury Township. Reporting parties confirmed fire in the residence and that a family member was still inside the structure before crews arrived on scene.

Engines 24 and 25 arrived on scene less than ten minutes from dispatch to a well-advanced fire. Crews quickly placed a hose line in service while searching for the victim. Engine 24 Officer located the victim and communicated their location. Members from both engine companies worked to remove victim in limited visibility and difficult conditions. With assistance from Ladder 25, the victim was extricated successfully at approximately 9:10pm.

Care for the patient was transferred to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) from Longwood Fire Company and the victim was transported to an appropriate care facility. The patient sustained minor injuries.

Crews immediately continued their work attempting to save the structure. They utilized interior tactics to fight the fire but were evacuated. The master stream on Ladder 25 was placed in service to knock down the bulk of the fire before crews reentered.

Longwood Fire Company Chief McCarthy established himself as the command role for this fire. Upon arriving on scene, he upgraded the fire to two alarms and requested additional fire suppression units, water tankers, EMS units, and fire police.

Several challenges crews faced included rural water supply considerations, dry weather conditions in a heavily wooded area, and the size of the structure partnered with the advancement of the fire. At approximately 10:55, the fire was placed under control.

One firefighter was transported to nearby hospital for minor injuries. The firefighter has been discharged and is recovering well.

American Red Cross was notified to assist the affected family. One additional residence was impacted by a utility outage as a result of this fire.

The fire is currently under investigation by the Chester County Fire Marshall’s Office.

Mutual aid companies included Concordville Fire & Protective Association, Avondale Fire Company, West Grove Fire Company, Union Fire Co #1 of Oxford, Good Will Fire Company of West Chester, Hockessin Fire Company, West Whiteland Fire Company, West Bradford Fire Company, Talleyville Fire Company, Cranston Heights Fire Company, Rocky Run Fire Company and Chester County Department of Emergency Services.

Companies that provided coverage for fire protection while local crews were committed included Modena Fire Company, Pequea Valley - Kinzers Station Fire Company, Brookhaven Fire Company, and Lower Chichester Fire Company, Honey Brook Fire Company, and Union EMS.

Longwood Fire Company, on behalf of the Kennett Regional Fire Company, would like to thank all companies that assisted and supported the fire companies through this operation. Additionally, KRFD would like to thank the Chester County 911 Center for their exceptional support throughout the incident, Good Fellowship Ambulance for their rehabilitation unit and command support on scene, and the Pennsylvania State Police.

Please contact Gabby Ratliff at gratliff@longwoodfireco.com for more information.