At 3:04 pm Friday, Companies 36 (Cardington-Stonehurst), 37 (Upper Darby), Engine 26 (Highland Park), Ladder 20, RIT 74 (Primos-Secane) and Medic 103-7 (DCMH) were dispatched to 428 Croyden Rd. in the Stonehurst section of the township for a house fire. As units went responding, Fireboard advised of numerous calls being received. Ladder 36 arrived first and reported heavy smoke showing from the front of a 2 story row home, followed by UD-11 (D/C Schuster) who reported heavy fire from the first floor in the rear, with fire extending up over the roof line. Engine 37-1 went in service upon arrival and first-in crews reported heavy fire conditions just inside the front door. Engine 26-1 arrived and took the rear, along with Ladder 20 (D/C M. Morgan). Ladder 20's crew immediately went to the "D" exposure where the fire was found extending in through the rear wall. Due to fire rapidly spreading to adjacent homes, UD-11 requested an additional engine from Company 20, followed quickly by a full 2nd alarm. The 2nd alarm brought in Mongomery County Ladder 21 (Penn Wynne) and RIT 19 (Lansdowne). Crews worked vigorously to open walls and ceilings but continued to find fire spreading. The fire then began to extend to additional homes along the roof line, prompting a full 3rd alarm, which brought in Companies 04 (Darby #1) and 03 (Clifton Heights), along with RIT 09 (Sharon Hill). Due to the high temperatures outside, Montgomery County Rehab 313 (Narberth) was special called to the scene. The stubborn blaze was finally brought under control after about one hour and crews began extensive overhaul. Engines 20-2 and 20-3 also made the response and all of Company 20 was back in the station around 6 pm.

At 1:09 pm Wednesday, Companies 53 (Broomall), 41 (Newtown Square), 56 (Manoa), 35 (Brookline), and RIT 20 were dispatched to 200 Gamma Dr. at the old Gamma Swim Club property, for a building fire. 53 command arrived and reported a building storing pool chemicals fully involved in fire. Several engines laid thousands of feet of supply lines into the property, which was located a distance down a private driveway. Companies then led off with their heaviest water lines and several aerial master streams were placed in service to battle the fire. RIT/Rescue 20 (D/C M. Morgan) arrived and set up in front of the building. Crews worked for several hours in extreme temperatures to bring the fire under control. Rescue 20 returned to Drexel Hill around 4 pm. Pipeline 58 (Bon Air) was special called to the scene, as well as additional rehab units.

At 11:36 pm Wednesday night, during a strong thunderstorm, Companies 56 (Manoa), 35 (Brookline), 34 (Llanerch), RIT 20, and Medic 108 (Haverford EMS), were dispatched to 417 Upland Rd, for a house fire. Haverford PD responding to a burglar alarm at the residence arrived to report the house had been hit by lightning and there was now smoke coming from it. A/C 56-9C arrived first reporting heavy smoke showing from a 2 story single home and fire in the garage. Squad 56 laid in and went in service with an 1 3/4" handline to the garage. Rescue 20 (A/C B. Tully) arrived, performed a size-up, and set up for RIT. The crew stood-by as the fire was knocked in the garage and crews opened up in a 2nd floor bedroom to check for extension, which was negative. The fire was placed under control in about 15 minutes and Rescue 20 was released a short time later. The boys were back in the station to dry out by 12:30 am.

Just minutes before 8 am, Thursday, Companies 20, 74 (Primos-Secane), RIT 37 (Upper Darby), Engine 36 (Cardington-Stonehurst), and Medic 103-7 (DCMH) were dispatched to 4034 Ellendale Rd. for a house fire. As Engine 20-1 (Lieut. Rapp) was rolling out of the station, smoke was visible from the area of the fire, several blocks away. 20-1 then dropped a supply line from a hydrant on the way into the scene and arrived to find heavy smoke from all floors and heavy fire blowing out the first floor rear, extending up to the second floor and roof. The crew stretched an 1 3/4" handline for an aggressive interior attack and found a fully involved kitchen fire extending into the dining room. Engine 20-2's (Capt. Donohue) crew took a second 1 3/4" to the second floor, where they encountered heavy fire in the rear bedroom, as well as the cockloft above. Engine 36-2's crew began ventilation as Tower 74's crew began searching for victims on the second floor. UD-11 (D/C Johnston) requested an additional RIT from Company 19 (Lansdowne), before requesting a full 2nd alarm assignment moments later, due to heavy smoke now showing from the attached exposure home. The 2nd alarm then brought in Companies 03 (Clifton Heights), 34 (Llanerch), and Rescue 58 (Bon Air). Crews battled by pulling walls and ceilings to gain access to the fast moving fire and bring it under control in about 45 minutes. Although there was heavy smoke in the attached home, firefighters did an outstanding job of containing the fire to the original home. Company 20 remained on scene for extensive overhaul and was available around 10:30 am. 20-9A (D/C M. Morgan) had interior command. Thanks to Engine 09 (Sharon Hill) and Tower 44 (Springfield) for covering Station 20 and helping to get us back in service quickly. The 8th Dist. Fire Police also responded. FOR AUDIO OF THIS FIRE, CLICK THE LINK BELOW.

At 5:46 am Saturday morning, Companies 20, 74 (Primos-Secane), Engine 36 (Cardington-Stonehurst), RIT 37 (Upper Darby), and Medic 103-7B were dispatched to "the area of" 4117 Garrett Rd for a house fire, with multiple calls being received. As units went responding, Fireboard advised that police were on location reporting a working basement fire. 20-9 (Chief Hoban) arrived first to find a 2 1/2 story twin home with heavy smoke showing from all floors and heavy fire showing from the basement. Engine 20-1 (Lieut. Rapp) arrived next and stretched an 1 3/4" hand line through the front door toward the basement steps. As 20-1's crew made the dining room, fire began coming up through the floor behind them, followed by a partial floor collapse. 20-1's crew then backed out to knock the fire through the hole in the floor, as Engine 20-2's crew stretched another line through the rear bilco doors and made an aggressive attack on the fire. Tower 74 began ventilation and Squirt 36 took the exposure dwelling to search and check for extension, which was negative. 20-2 knocked down the fire in the basement and 20-1 extinguished the fire that extended to the 1st floor, as additional crews performed searches and ventilation on the floors above. The fire was brought under control in about 35 minutes and crews began extensive overhaul. Rescue 58 (Bon Air) and Ladder/RIT 26 were special called to the scene. The assignment was scaled back to Company 20 and Rescue 58 in about 90 minutes, and all units were available around 8:15 am. Ladder and Rescue 20 were also on location, as well as Traffic 20 and the 8th Dist. Fire Police. CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO LISTEN TO THE AUDIO FROM THIS FIRE

Shortly before 2 am Saturday, Company 37 (Upper Darby), Rescue 26 (Highland Park), Rescue 20, and Medic 103-7 (DCMH) were dispatched to the 7000-blk of Terminal Sq., for an accident with entrapment. Engine 37-1 arrived first to find a vehicle on its side with one victim trapped inside. Rescue 20 (D/C M. Morgan) arrived a short time later and assisted Rescue 26 with the extrication. The victim was freed in under 10 minutes and transported to a local hospital with unknown injuries. 37-1 stood-by to take care of hazards as the Rescue companies wrapped up and went available. Rescue 20 was back in the house around 2:30 am.

Drexel Hill Firefighter Dan Falkenstein, who is also a Darby Borough Police Officer, embarked yesterday morning on a run from Philadelphia to Washington, DC. Dan has joined hundreds of law enforcement officers from the tri-state area to take part in the run, which aims to honor and support the families of officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. After departing from Tinicum Township early yesterday, the runners stopped for the night in Aberdeen, MD, before resuming again this morning with a stop through the Baltimore Fire Academy. The runners are expected to cross the finish line in Washington, DC some time tomorrow morning. The officers and members of the Drexel Hill Fire Company are very proud of Dan and all the runners. We would like to extend our support for their cause and also ask everyone to please take a moment and remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice while serving us. Keep up the good work and keep running Dan!

At 10:36 am Monday, Company 20, Rescue 26 (Highland Park), Quint 37 (Upper Darby), and DCMH Medics were dispatched to 1109 Mason Ave, for a confined space rescue. Reports indicated that a township worker had fallen approximately 15 feet into a manhole and was injured, unable to exit the hole on his own. Rescue 20 (D/C M. Morgan) arrived along with assisting units and set up several rope lines and rigging devices to extricate the victim. The victim was extricated in about 30 minutes and was then able to walk to the ambulance under his own power, where he was attended to by paramedics. Engine 20-2 also made the response and crews were in service for about one hour before going available.

Congrats to Firefighter Fran Paolone and his wife Summer on the birth of their first child, a healthy baby boy!!! Severide Francis Paolone was born 6:20 am this morning, weighing in at 7 lbs, 1 oz, and 20 1/2" long. Mom and baby are doing great! Congrats again guys and a special Happy Mother's Day to Summer, as well as all the other Moms out there. Enjoy your day!

In the early morning hours on Monday, at 1:49 am, Companies 03 (Clifton Heights), 74 (Primos-Secane), 19 (Lansdowne), and RIT 20 were dispatched to 404 N. Springfield Rd, in Clifton Heights Boro, for a building fire. Ambulance 03-7 arrived and reported heavy smoke in the area, followed by Chief 03-9, who found heavy smoke from the roof in the rear of a 2-story taxpayer. Engine 74-2 took the front, established a water supply, and stretched an 1 3/4" handline to the 2nd floor apartment, assisted by Quint 03, which took the rear of the building. Rescue 20 (Capt. Stevenson) arrived next and set up for RIT, as well as threw several ground ladders. First-in crews found heavy smoke in the rear of the apartment but had initial difficulty finding the fire. Fire was then visible along the roof line and rear wall on the exterior, so interior crews began opening the walls and were able to put a knock on it. Tower 44 (Springfield) and a second RIT from Company 43 (Holmes) were special called to the scene. The fire was placed under control in about 30 minutes and Rescue 20 was released in about an hour.