Mid-Day Rectory Fire

At 1215 hours, a first alarm was dispatched for a working structure fire at the former Assumption Church on Second Street in East Conemaugh. With heavy smoke showing while crossing the bridge, Chief 5 arrived to find a working fire in the Transfiguration Church’s rectory with reports of oxygen cylinders inside and that all occupants had evacuated.

Responding within two minutes of dispatch, Engine 5-1 arrived first and laid 400ft of 5″ supply line from a nearby hydrant. Its crew then advanced the first attack line inside and performed a primary search. Engine 17-2 arrived a  few minutes later and advanced a second attack line to backup Engine 5-1’s crew. A third attack line was deployed off Engine 15-4. The fire was knocked down in approximately 10 minutes and with assistance from Engine 17-1 and Engine 43-2, crews then began overhaul, ventilation, a secondary search, and extensive salvage operations. Though Truck 43-4 was initially staged near Station 15, it was later moved up to the scene to open up the eaves to extinguish some hidden fire.

Due to the time of day and the warm & sunny weather, a second alarm was requested by Assistant 15.  The second alarm units were staged nearby and their crews were used to rotate through assignments and allow first alarm crews to rest and rehab.

Home Heating Fuel Spilled

Units were dispatched at 1235 hours for a reported major fuel spill inside a residence on Main Street in Franklin. Chief 5 arrived on scene first to find that a furnace repairman placed absorbent pads in a basement drain in an attempt to stop the home heating oil. Engine 5-1 arrived first and was assigned to begin containing and cleaning up the spilled fuel, which was determined to be approximately 25 gallons. Rescue 17-3 assisted Engine 5-1’s crew with containment and cleanup inside the basement while Truck 15-2 established a manpower pool. Rescue 13-3’s crew was assigned to check downstream sewers and manholes and found no fuel in either sewer system. Once the fuel was cleaned up, the drains were flushed before crews returned to service at 1410 hours.