Released: 03 FEB 2003
FIRE STATION FIRE
King Of Prussia, Upper Merion Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
A satellite station of the King of Prussia Volunteer Fire Company, Upper Merion Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania was struck by fire early Sunday morning, Sunday February 2. A fire alarm activated at 00:44 hours and the firefighters were dispatched at 00:45 hours. Police officers arrived to find the front of the station involved with heavy fire. The unmanned station was located in a residential portion of the community and housed a rescue pumper and a ladder-tower. The fire was under control within 45 minutes.
The station sustained substantial damage to the roof structure and main door sections with heat and smoke damage to the interior of the building. Bill Daywalt, Chief of Fire & Rescue Services commanded the two-alarm incident with some sixty firefighters responding.
"On Sunday afternoon, firefighters were busily inventorying equipment and arranging with insurance carriers to confirm coverages and begin the claim settlement process, in addition to recovering mentally from the loss of this important fire station to the community", stated Bill Jenaway, President of the fire company.
"Our first challenge is to modify response procedures for the short term, and then determine longer term actions until the station is rebuilt and the trucks replaced", commented Bill Daywalt Jr., Chief of Fire & Rescue Services for the company.
King of Prussia firefighters responded with two engines and a heavy rescue unit. Assistance was provided by Swedeland Volunteer Fire Company with a ladder and engine company, Lower Providence Volunteer Fire Company provided a Rapid Intervention Team, Jefferson Volunteer Fire Company provided engine company support, and Lafayette Ambulance Squad provided emergency medical service support. The fire police units of King of Prussia Fire, Swedeland Fire, Swedesburg Fire and the Upper Merion Police handled traffic in and around the fire scene. The Swedesburg and Bridgeport Volunteer Fire Companies stood-by in the King of Prussia Volunteer Fire Company Allendale Road station during the incident to handle additional alarms.
There were no injuries reported and no damage estimate were immediately available. The fire remains under investigation, but appears accidental. No further information is available at this time.
In the late Sunday afternoon, Chief Bill Daywalt, Jr. held a post incident meeting. The Montgomery County Critical Distress Team was in attendance. The Fire Officers Meeting was held at 6:00 P.M. to further discuss the action plan. The details of this action plan have not yet been released. The fire company went back to normal operations at 6:00 p.m. and is currently responding to requests for service from the Allendale Road station.
King of Prussia Volunteer Fire Company would like to thank the residents, Upper Merion Township and the local fire companies for their support.
No requests for equipment or services are being sought at this time. If anyone has any photographs of the fire, please contact the Chief Bill Daywalt Jr. at 610-265-1063 we would like to receive a copy of them.
King of Prussia Volunteer Fire Company proudly protects 30,000 people living in an area of 15 square miles in Upper Merion Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Operating out of 2 stations, coverage is provided to a primarily commercial area. King of Prussia VFC is a public department whose members are on a volunteer status.
FIRE STATION FIRE
King Of Prussia, Upper Merion Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
A satellite station of the King of Prussia Volunteer Fire Company, Upper Merion Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania was struck by fire early Sunday morning, Sunday February 2. A fire alarm activated at 00:44 hours and the firefighters were dispatched at 00:45 hours. Police officers arrived to find the front of the station involved with heavy fire. The unmanned station was located in a residential portion of the community and housed a rescue pumper and a ladder-tower. The fire was under control within 45 minutes.
The station sustained substantial damage to the roof structure and main door sections with heat and smoke damage to the interior of the building. Bill Daywalt, Chief of Fire & Rescue Services commanded the two-alarm incident with some sixty firefighters responding.
"On Sunday afternoon, firefighters were busily inventorying equipment and arranging with insurance carriers to confirm coverages and begin the claim settlement process, in addition to recovering mentally from the loss of this important fire station to the community", stated Bill Jenaway, President of the fire company.
"Our first challenge is to modify response procedures for the short term, and then determine longer term actions until the station is rebuilt and the trucks replaced", commented Bill Daywalt Jr., Chief of Fire & Rescue Services for the company.
King of Prussia firefighters responded with two engines and a heavy rescue unit. Assistance was provided by Swedeland Volunteer Fire Company with a ladder and engine company, Lower Providence Volunteer Fire Company provided a Rapid Intervention Team, Jefferson Volunteer Fire Company provided engine company support, and Lafayette Ambulance Squad provided emergency medical service support. The fire police units of King of Prussia Fire, Swedeland Fire, Swedesburg Fire and the Upper Merion Police handled traffic in and around the fire scene. The Swedesburg and Bridgeport Volunteer Fire Companies stood-by in the King of Prussia Volunteer Fire Company Allendale Road station during the incident to handle additional alarms.
There were no injuries reported and no damage estimate were immediately available. The fire remains under investigation, but appears accidental. No further information is available at this time.
In the late Sunday afternoon, Chief Bill Daywalt, Jr. held a post incident meeting. The Montgomery County Critical Distress Team was in attendance. The Fire Officers Meeting was held at 6:00 P.M. to further discuss the action plan. The details of this action plan have not yet been released. The fire company went back to normal operations at 6:00 p.m. and is currently responding to requests for service from the Allendale Road station.
King of Prussia Volunteer Fire Company would like to thank the residents, Upper Merion Township and the local fire companies for their support.
No requests for equipment or services are being sought at this time. If anyone has any photographs of the fire, please contact the Chief Bill Daywalt Jr. at 610-265-1063 we would like to receive a copy of them.
King of Prussia Volunteer Fire Company proudly protects 30,000 people living in an area of 15 square miles in Upper Merion Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Operating out of 2 stations, coverage is provided to a primarily commercial area. King of Prussia VFC is a public department whose members are on a volunteer status.