On Monday morning February 23, TSFRS Engine 85 responded in support of the Cumru Twp FD for a fire in a home located on Gerald Ave in Cumru. The fire was reported to in the basement with flames visible inside the home.

Engine 85 responded and arrived on location with smoke showing. They assumed the first due engine responsibilities and secured their own water supply with a hydrant near the involved dwelling. Capt. 85 met with the homeowner who confirmed a fire in the basement near an electrical panel. He then completed a size up and discovered fire in the walls at the rear of the home near the reported area of the panel. There being no exterior basement access, the crew was forced to attack the fire from the inside.

With this in mind, E85s crew stretched a 200' 2" attack line and made their way down the basement stairs where they noted electrical arcing at the panel. They also discovered a water condition on the floor. As such, they elected to remain on the stairs to avoid any possible electrical current conducted by the water, which appeared to be spraying from a ruptured pipe. From this position they applied water judiciously to limit the fire spread in the basement without impacting the electrical service.

The crew remained in the basement to control the fire while the other companies worked on opening up the wall on the first and second floor where additional fire extension was uncovered in the walls. All personnel worked to keep the fire in check with multiple dry chemical fire extinguishers to avoid electrical conduction through a hose stream, until PPL arrived on location to secure the power. Once PPL arrived on location and cut the power, water was applied to fully extinguish the remaining fire on all floors.

After the fire area was overhauled, E85s hose lines and all other equipment was secured. The company was released by Gerald Ave Command and returned.