10/30/07
Back to Back Heater Malfunctions

     Late in the afternoon on Tuesday, Station 65 was alerted to the unit block of S. Main St for an investigation of smoke coming from a chimney and an odor of something burning. Upon arrival, crews found an oil burner malfunction with elevated levels of carbon monoxide throughout a 4 story business with apartments above on the corner of S. Main and Prospect Streets. Ladder 65 and the balance of the Phoenixville Fire Department responded to assist and crews secured the heater, ventilated the building using fans, and checked the attached exposure building.
     While onscene in the unit block of Main St, a large cloud of smoke drifted across the adjacent Prospect St Municipal Parking Lot and crews were sent to check on the smoke condition. It was quickly found to be heavy black smoke coming from the chimney stack of a residence along the 200 Block of Church St.    Apparatus responded from Main St around the corner and began to evacuate the occupants of the effected dwelling. Once inside, crews found a fire inside of the fuel oil burner with fuel oil leaking out onto the basement floor. The heater was shut down and several dry chemical fire extinguishers were used to extinguish the fire. The leak was contained and the dwelling was ventilated while crews checked the chimney stack to ensure the the fire was not extending upwards.
     All Phoenixville Fire units cleared up around 7PM.