Officials have released details regarding a Sunday morning structure fire
Wilmington Fire Department units responded to 2002 N. Market Street at 06:40 am for a report of a structure fire. Squad 4 was the first unit on scene and reported a large volume of fire from a three-story middle of the row structure. Squad 4 attempted to make entry to the second floor with a hand line via portable ground ladder.
Upon entering the structure, Incident Commander Battalion Chief Danner immediately changed tactics to a defensive exterior attack due to the deteriorating nature of the structure and all interior units were withdrawn.
Additional resources were called to the scene, deploying every available Wilmington Fire Department
apparatus. Large diameter hose lines and aerial master streams were put into service and shortly thereafter there was a collapse of the roof into the third floor at the rear of the structure. Command placed the situation under control approximately 40 minutes from dispatch. One resident was found on scene who self-evacuated from the structure prior to fire department arrival and was charged by Wilmington Police for trespassing in the property aid Captain Matthew Marsella.
.License and Inspection was called to the scene and an emergency demolition of the property was requested to verify no other civilians were inside the structure. After several hours of searching the property and debris, the searched proved negative for additional civilians. The cause and origin of the fire is listed as “undetermined” due to the severe damage from the fire, collapse, and demolition of the property.
Approximately 50 fire and EMS personnel responded to the fire. The following units responded: Engine 1,
Engine 2, Engine 3, Squad 4, Engine 5, Engine 6 Ladder 1, Ladder 2, Battalion-1, Battalion-2, FM-12,
FM-14, F-1, D/C 2, D/C 3, St. Francis EMS, New Castle County Paramedics, Wilmington License &
Inspection, Wilmington Police, and Delmarva Power.
Image Credits: WFD
