The Danville Fire Department was dispatched to a possible structure fire at 234 Sylvan Road on 4//6/18 at 10:05pm. E2 arrived within five minutes and could see smoke before turning off Lansdale St. A person at the intersection of Sylvan advised a house was on fire down the road. E2 dropped the 4" water supply house at the last hydrant and proceeded down Sylvan Rd. During the drive down Sylvan Road E2 laid out 900' of 4" hose. On arrival they reported a small house that was well involved in fire. A neighbor reported the occupant was out of the house but injured in the back yard. E2 found the occupant behind the house. He was not injured and walked to a family member's house directly behind his house on Lansdale. During this time multiple attack lines were pulled and the process of extinguishing the fire was started. The fire was declared a defensive operation, meaning initially all firefighting efforts were performed from the exterior of the house. The fire was brought under control in 28 minutes. After all visible fire was extinguished, an engine company was able to enter the house and insure all the fire was out.
The Fire Marshal's Office investigated the fire. The fire was ruled accidental. The occupant awoke to find the power cord to his portable heater had shorted out and was on fire. He attempted to fight the fire but was not successful. This allowed the fire to grow rapidly prior to the DFD arriving.
The DFD responded with 3 engines, 1 ladder truck, and 3 support vehicles. A total of 18 personnel remained on scene for 2 1/2 hours. The DFD received support from the Danville Police Dept., Water & Gas Dept., Power & Light, and the Danville Life Saving Crew.
Brian K. Alderson
Battalion Chief
