Wilmington – At 3:37 a.m. Wilmington Firefighters on the A platoon were dispatched to 1508 W. 4th St. for a building fire, upon arrival of the District Battalion Chief a report was given of heavy fire through the roof from the rear of a 2 story middle of the row vacant dwelling, according to Deputy Chief James Jobes.
Jobes said the incident commander Battalion Chief Richard Danner requested a second ladder and an additional engine after the fire had begun to auto extend to the adjoining properties. Engine company personnel performed a quick knockdown of the initial fire while the ladder companies simultaneously removed the boards from the windows for ventilation and safety purposes of the firemen.
In addition, ventilation holes were cut in the roof area to assist with firefighting operations. Firefighters encountered some unsafe conditions in the primary fire building due to a previous fire at the same location.
A primary and secondary search of all of the vacant properties was conducted with negative results for any fire victims. There were no civilian or firefighter injuries reported. The fire was placed under control around 4:25 a.m. The Wilmington Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the fire which is active an ongoing at this time. Wilmington License and Inspection was on scene assessing the vacant properties. All of the properties were previously secured with no electric or gas service present.
Approximately 34 fire and EMS personnel responded to the fire. On scene was Engine Company 1, Engine Company 6, Squad 4, Skyboom 2, Ladder 1, Ladder 2, Battalion 1, Battalion 2, Wilmington Fire Marshal’s, New Castle County Medics, License And Inspection, And Saint Francis Ambulance.