7/8/2008

Scrap Yard Fire Brings the Full Department

At 17:01 hours, the CCFB alerted Station 66 to the Phoenix Scrap Yard at 701 St Mary's St for multiple vehicles on fire. The Phoenixville Police called the fire in and reported that there was a vehicle on fire at the bottom of a large pile of cars. Chief 65 went enroute and requested the balance of the department with that report and the large column of black smoke visible from over a mile out. Chief 65 and Engine 66-1 arrived simultaneously to find a large pile of cars well involved with exposure to a two story, 60 foot x 40 foot scrap pile. Crews forced entry by cutting the locks to the gates at the complex which allowed Engine 67-1 to pull in and begin an attack as Engine 66-1 laid a large diamater supply line. Chief 65 established command and requested Engine 61-1 for it's foam and the Chester County FM's to investigate. With an aggressive attack and multiple hand lines in service, the bulk of the fire was knocked down quickly before it could spread into the larger scrap pile. Command placed the fire under control after heavy equipment was used to pull the pile of cars apart and a final foam blanket was applied to all of the effected vehicles and debris. The final units cleared the scene within two hours and the cause is under investigation by FM 101.