The Delaware Office of the State Fire Marshal is investigating this morning’s fire that destroyed a Townsend business, according to Assistant State Fire Marshal Michael Chionchio.
Chionchio said the blaze, reported shortly after 2:00 am, occurred at Willey Farm’s located at 4092 DuPont Parkway. The Townsend Fire Company arrived on the scene with flames shooting from the building.
State fire investigators are on the scene searching for the fire’s origin and cause. No damage estimate is available at this time. This investigation continues.
Breaking Report
Just before 2:30 this morning firefighters from the Townsend Fire Company were called to 4092 Dupont Parkway for reports of a commercial structure fire.
Upon arrival, crews reported that fire was showing from the roof of Willey Farms. Within minutes Townsend Command struck a second and third alarm and activated the tanker task force.
Due to the heavy fire, Townsend Command reported that the fire would be a defensive fight from the outside.
Additional firefighters from across New Castle County, Kent County, Maryland, and Pennsylvania were called to assist.
After about thirty minutes into the fire, Townsend Command stuck a fourth alarm.
At around 40 minutes into the fire, crews that made advances into the building were ordered out of the building by Command due to deteriorating conditions.
At about an hour into the incident, Townsend Command struck a fifth alarm.
Crews remain on scene.
Check back shortly we are gathering morning formation.
Update: 6:50 am Command is asking for a large fuel tanker. Many of the fire apparatus need fuel to return to their stations.
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Developing
Route 13 is shut down in both directions in the area of the fire. Route 1 NB is crawling due to onlookers.
Developing