Firefighters were dispatched around 4:45 a.m. Tuesday to a reported townhouse fire in the 100 block of Parma Avenue in New Castle. According to initial reports, the first arriving crews observed smoke showing and fire conditions at the rear of the home.
New Castle County Paramedics were requested to respond after reports indicated that at least one person may have been experiencing smoke inhalation. At approximately 4:58 a.m., a firefighter operating inside the structure declared a mayday after being injured when a portion of the floor reportedly gave way. Crews were able to remove the firefighter from the residence, and the individual was reported to be ambulatory at the scene.
Around 5:00 a.m., incident command requested a second alarm, bringing additional personnel to the scene. Firefighters conducted a search of the residence, which was negative, and no victims were located inside the home. Initial information indicated that residents on scene were denying injuries at that time, with the firefighter reported as the only patient.
By approximately 5:09 a.m., additional medic units were cleared from the incident. Around 5:15 a.m., crews operating in the attic reported significant fire conditions. Firefighters worked quickly to bring the attic fire under control.
At approximately 5:30 a.m., after speaking with ambulance personnel, three residents requested transport to the hospital. All three were transported together in one ambulance, while the injured firefighter was transported separately for medical evaluation.
Command reported the fire under control at approximately 6:08 a.m. Crews remained on scene for continued operations.
