Newark – Just after 2:30 Thursday morning, firefighters from the Aetna Hose, Hook & Ladder Company along with mutual aid from Christiana Fire, Cranston Heights Fire Company, Mill Creek Fire Company, and Minquas Fire were dispatched to 1 Easton Court for a high rise structure fire, according to Aetna Deputy Chief Jeff Sands.
Sands said crews arrived to the 6 story wood-framed 220 unit high rise structure to find a fire on the 4th floor. The fire was contained by the sprinkler system. Firefighters searched for victims and checked for fire extension to other areas of the building. Searches were negative, smoke was ventilated from the structure, and the sprinkler system was secured.
36 units sustained water damage and building management are assisting displaced residents. There were no civilian or firefighter injuries. The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office is handling the investigation and Assistant Chief Bailey had Newark Command.
High rise fires pose unique challenges for firefighters: they are manpower intensive, require the use of standpipes to deploy hose lines to the fire floor, and have increased complexity due to the size of the building, said Sands. This incident highlights the importance of having a sprinkler system, which in this case contained what could have been a much more severe incident until firefighters arrived.
Newark Delaware Police Department and the Newark Fire Marshal’s Office also responded to the incident.
