Recent Incidents 2 Alarm Slackwater Rd. Garage/Apart. Fire September 5th, 2006, 12:30 PM

Fire | Extinguishment | Overhaul | Water Supply

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 5, 2006 — CONESTOGA TWP., PA — A 5-year-old playing with a cigarette lighter caused a fire that destroyed a Conestoga Township garage/apartment building Tuesday September 5.

Millersville Fire Company was initially dispatched along with two additional tankers from New Danville, and Conestoga Fire Companies.

Smoke was visible from a half mile out. A second alarm was requested bringing Lancaster Township’s Rescue, Engine and Ladder Truck along with additional tankers from Strasburg, Pequea, Quarryville, Rawlinsville, Refton, West Hempfield and Washington Borough.

Securing a water supply and fire attack proved to be a challenge for the firefighters. The building was situated approximately 500 foot up a single lane paved road. The end of the road was surrounded by trees prohibiting access for fire apparatus.

A Port-A-Tank was dropped at the bottom of the driveway. Millersville Engine 65-3 drafted from the Port-A-Tank and pumped up the long hill to Millersville Engine 65-4 to fight the fire.

West Willow Tanker 5-11 performed as a nurse tanker to keep a continuous flow of water in the event the A Port-A-Tank would be emptied by the engine pumping to the scene.

Millersville firefighters initially attacked the fire with a 2.5" Playpipe which attacked the Alpha side of the building and knocked down the bulk of the fire in the first floor garage area.

A second 2.5" leader line was connected to a water thief with 2 - 1.75" handlines which were mainly focused on the Baker and Charlie sides of the building and were used to keep the fire suppressed until a solid water source was established.

A tanker fill site was established approximately 2 miles from the scene. An engine from Mountville Fire Company filled the tankers from a hydrant at the entrance of the Cross Gate Community.

Once a solid water supply was established, a step gun fed by a 2.5" line off the water thief was positioned on the Baker/Charlie corner and used to knock down the bulk of the fire on the second floor.

The 12:32 p.m. fire caused $130,000 in damage to the structure on the property of Bernard Oostdam, 169 Slackwater Road, Millersville, Millersville Fire Chief Keith Eshleman said.

"It's still standing," Eshleman said of the two-story masonry-and-wood building. "But the fire itself was pretty extensive. For all intents and purposes, it's a complete loss."

The apartment's sole tenant was not home at the time.

Eshleman said the blaze was ruled accidental.

Tankers shuttled more than 66,000 gallons of water to the fire scene.