Upper Chichester, PA

A devastating fire is the latest setback for a Delaware County family that has endured more than its fair share of difficult times. A two-alarm fire gutted the Upper Chichester home of the Reilly family Monday evening. The fast-moving tore through the home where James Reilly and his family had lived for decades."My wife and I, it was our first house and we raised our children here. So, it's loaded with memories," a tearful James Reilly said.
Reilly said the fire started in an afghan in a family room where his 29-year-old son with special needs had been sitting. Reilly said he found his son and was able to safely escape as the fire spread. This is not the first time Reilly and his family has been faced with tragedy. In 2006, Jim's oldest son Andrew was killed in a car accident on his way back to school in Millersville. Two years later, Jim's wife April was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and passed away shortly thereafter. "I'm looking at it as God's plan. It will work out," Reilly said. "I do it for my son and daughter." Fortunately, no one was injured in Monday's fire. Reilly believes the home is a total loss.

Elam United Methodist Church in Glen Mills is accepting donations on behalf of the family. To make a donation, call: 610-459-2911.

Officials said the cause of the fire is accidental.

Story: http://cbs3.com/topstories/Upper.Chichester.Delaware.2.1546548.html

The fire line officers started to gather at the station to head to Green Ridge for a 1st District Chiefs Meeting when the tones dropped for a box in the local. Around 7 p.m. the Township Box along with RIT 45 and Medic 667 were dispatched to the 2400 block of Larkin Road for the Building Fire. Chief 55(Small) arrived with heavy smoke and fire showing and established the Larkin Road Command. Engine 40 arrived just after, took the hydrant from 500 ft out and laid into the scene establishing a water supply. Engine 40's crew under the Command of Chief Powers quickly advanced a 2" attack line into the first floor and started making an aggressive attack on the fire. Rescue 40 & Engine 55-1's crews started a second line off the Engine to the second floor to also assist. 55-9B(Cooper) took Division 2, while Chief 40 had Divison 1. Crews were making good progress but the fire load had already made its way up the walls and into the attic. Larkin Command placed Covers in the Township Companies, and also struck the Second Alarm. Interior crews tried to access the fire in the attic but at this point fire had made it's way through the roof. Command advised fireboard to have all crews evacuate the building and go into defensive operations. Tower 61 placed the bucket into service and Engine 40 put the deck gun and blitz fire monitor in service as well to assist in the master stream operations. After the majority of the fire was knocked by the master streams, crews were put together to go in and open up. Crews were able to open up and hit the remainder of the hot spots and Larkin Command placed the job under control. Canteen 47(Chester Township) and Air Unit 48(Tinicum Township) were also called in to assit. We would like to thank Squad 50(Middletown) for covering our local during the incident.

First Alarm: 40, 55, 61, RIT 45, Medic 100-C

Second Alarm: 39, 63, 66, 71, 72, NCC RIT 13, 68-7, Medic 100-7

Incident Command: Chief 55 - Craig Small

Sector C: Deputy 40 - Ray Fuller, Jr

Manpower/Accountability: Deputy 39 - Kenny Boyd

Safety: 61-10 - Art Gorga

Thanks to C.Bradley & K. Maloney for the pictures.

Today marks the Second Anniversary since the passing of Lower Chichester Fire Company Lieutenant Nicholas Picozzi II. Nick was also a contributing member of the Boothwyn Fire Company. Nick was a great friend and fellow brother in the fire service. Nick made the ultimate sacrifice in a fire in Upper Chichester on March 5th, 2008. Nick's legacy will live on forever with all the people that knew him. Nick you are forever in our hearts. Your fellow brothers and sisters of the Boothwyn Fire Company No.1

The first three days of March have proved to be pretty busy for Boothwyn crews. The Station has been alerted to several calls including a Building Fire, EMS assist, a few Fire Alarms, and an Accident with Entrapment.

Today around Noon, the Rescue Co. and EMS were dispatched to the 400 block of the Conchester for an Accident Vehicle Overturned into the Building with Entrapment. Deputy 40(Fuller, Jr.) arrived in minutes with one vehicle on it's roof checking on Entrapment. Deputy 40 advised that he had one subject confined in the overturned vehicle. Rescue 40 and 40-7 arrived and went to work on the patient. Chief 40 (Powers), 40-6A, and Engine 40 arrived moments later. The patient was removed from the vehicle and transported. The Upper Chichester building inspector was also called to the scene to survey the building damage. Chief 40 put the Company available within 20 minutes. Thanks to the 1st District Fire Police for their assistance.

We would like to Congratulate Firefighter Kyle Prescott for recently completing his basic training in Parris Island, SC. (USMC) Kyle will be home for the next week or so before he heads out on his next assignment. We would like to wish Kyle well in his future endeavors.

Just after 2 p.m. the Rescue and EMS were dispatched to I-95 NB in the area of Chichester Ave for an Accident with Injuries. 40-7 arrived to find the wreck just past Chichester Ave. The Rescue, 40-6A, and Deputy(Fuller, Jr) arrived shortly after. Fireboard advised of a second wreck on the Interstate NB at the Market Street offramp. Rescue 40 & 40-7 handled the first wreck while 40-6A, Deputy 40, and Medic 100 checked out the second wreck. Their turned out to be no injuries on the second wreck and the remainder of the units cleared the highway. Rescue 40 cleared in about 20 minutes.

While Rescue 40 was backing in quarters, fireboard advised of another wreck at the Sunoco Gas Station on Market Street. Deputy 40 arrived on scene with a two vehicle accident in the parking lot. The Rescue, 68-7, and Medic 100-7 arrived shortly after. 68-7 transported one subject to Crozer. The Rescue and Medic 100-7 went available shortly after.

Just before 5 p.m. the Rescue Co. was dispatched to Chester Township's local for an AFA. 47-12(Sadler) arrived on location and advised he had smoke showing in the rear and asked for the upgrade. The Rescue hit the street shortly after dispatch, followed by the Engine. On the ticket were Companies 47(Chester Twp.), 57(Upland), 52(Brookhaven), 63(Green Ridge), 61(Reliance), RIT 39(Lower Chi), RIT 23(Media), and Medic 81-7. Boothwyn crews assisted with ventilation, and wrapping up before clearing the incident.

While the Rescue was out getting maintenance done over the weekend, the Engine took over and went in service as the Squad.

On Sunday morning, the first run came in around 10:30 a.m. to assist NCC Station 13(Claymont) on a Building Fire at the Brandywine Apartments. The Engine arrived behind Engine & Ladder 13. The crew stood by in manpower but was released shortly after. A box to Talleyville's local came in at the same time which redirected Engine 25 and Engine 66(Bethel) to that location while 13 & 40 took care of the Brandywine box. Deputy 40(Fuller, Jr.) had the Engine's Command.

Later in the day around 1 p.m. the Engine made the response to Cover South Media (51) while they operated on a two-alarm fire in their local. The Engine was sent to a fire alarm in Rose Valley as they were backing into 51's house. The alarm turned out to be a faulty detector and units cleared shortly after arrival. The Engine remained in Station 51 along with Engine 53(Broomall). The B-Chief(Brady) had the Engine's Command.

Just before 7 p.m the Rescue Co. and EMS were dispatched to an unusual call. The call came in for the 1900 Block of Chichester Ave for two pedestrians struck by the same vehicle. 40-6A, Engine 40, and 40-7 hit the street in minutes. 40-13(Rudolph) in the area arrived with two subjects down on the highway and called for a second BLS unit. Deputy 40(Fuller, Jr) called for 1st District Fire Police to assist on the scene. Both patients were transported to Crozer via: 40-7/Medic 100C & Medic 100-7. Medic 100 and 68-7 were also on the ticket. 40-6A remained on scene to assist the UCPD with their investigation while the Engine returned to quarters.

On Friday night just before 10 p.m, The Township Companies along with RIT 45(Parkside) and Medic 100C were dispatched to the Wawa on the Conchester for a Building Fire. Engine 40 & 40-7 hit the street in no time arriving with nothing showing. UC-9(J.Smith) arrived on scene and held it to the Township Response. 40-1's crew investigated the building the thermal imaging camera and the source was narrowed down to the heating system. UC-9 placed all units available shortly after.

On Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m, The Rescue Co. and EMS were dispatched to Conchester & Cherry Tree for an Accident with Injuries. 40-6A made the response but were recalled on arrival due to no services needed. At 11 a.m. The Township Companies along with RIT 45 and Medic 100C were dispatched to a Building Fire on Naamans Creek Road. Engine 40 & 40-7 arrived on the scene with nothing showing. The crew from the Engine found a stove fire under control with a minor smoke condition. Deputy 40(Fuller, Jr) held it to Engine 40 to wrap up.

We would like to thank the Township Residents who were able to keep the snow clear from around their fire hydrants. Even though the snow is over, we would like to encourage any resident who has not done so to clean the snow away from their fire hydrants. You never know when an emergency will occur and that fire hydrant will be needed. Thanks to Fire Police Captain Art Sciochetti for clearing around the fire hydrant on his street.