Shortly after 8:48AM Wilmington Firefighters on the A platoon were alerted to a residential structure fire at 1926 W. 5th Street, according to Battalion Chief John M. Looney.
Looney said fire department units arrived on scene to find heavy smoke showing from the rear of a two-story multi-unit dwelling. Crews made an aggressive fire attack and were able to contain the fire to the room of origin. Simultaneously, additional crews searched all levels of the dwelling for occupants with negative results. The occupants had escaped prior to fire department arrival. The incident commander, Battalion Chief Richard Danner placed the scene under control with crews working at 9:14 AM. The dwelling sustained moderate fire damage and smoke damage.
The Wilmington Fire Marshal’s Office responded to the scene for an origin and cause investigation. The investigators determined the fire to be accidental, attributed to candles. Wilmington License & Inspections responded and deemed the property uninhabitable. There were no reports of civilian or firefighter injuries. American Red Cross was contacted for shelter and provisions for one adult and four children living in the dwelling.
Approximately 28 fire and EMS personnel responded to the fire. The following units responded: Engine 6, Engine 5, Engine 1, Engine 2, Ladder 2, Battalion-1, Battalion-2, Battalion-12, F-9, FM-11, FM-12, FM-13, FM-14, St. Francis EMS, New Castle County Paramedics, Wilmington License & Inspection, and Delmarva Power.
