Shortly after 7:30 last night, Wilmington Firefighters on the C Platoon were alerted to a multi-residential structure fire in the 1300 block of East 28th Street. Reports received by the 911 Center indicated a kitchen fire, said Assistant Public Information Officer, Lieutenant Andrew Cavanaugh.
Upon arrival of Squrt 3, Lieutenant Thomas Sowinski gave an initial report of fire on the second floor in the rear of the building. With the initial reports the incident commander, Battalion Chief Elizabeth Tickner, requested the fourth engine be dispatched to the fire scene.
Firefighters from Squrt 3 quickly advanced a hose line into the structure and contained the fire to the area of origin. Simultaneously, crews from Ladder 1 began a search of all levels of the structure and found no one inside. It was confirmed that all residents were outside upon fire department arrival, according to Cavanaugh.
All apartments were checked for extension with negative result. Apartment A, the main fire apartment, sustained significant damage and Apartment B sustained water damage. Battalion Chief Tickner placed the scene under control at approximately 7:56 PM.
There were no reported injuries and the residents are receiving assistance from the American Red Cross. The Wilmington Fire Marshal’s Office is on scene investigating the cause of the fire and Wilmington Licenses and Inspection has determined the apartment of origin to be uninhabitable.
Approximately 23 fire and EMS personnel responded to the fire. The following units responded: Squrt 3, Skyboom 2, Squad 4, Engine 1, Ladder 2, Battalion-1, Battalion-2, Deputy 4, F-9, FM-18, St. Francis EMS, New Castle County Medics, Wilmington Licenses & Inspections, American Red Cross, and DP&L.
Image Credits: Wilmington Fire Department
