More news from NewsWorking.org
This fire was reported at 6:38 PM Sunday night at 24 Saylor Drive in Coplay, Pennsylvania. Longtime STATter911.com contributor Bill Rohrer from NewsWorking.org was on the scene before the fire department. Here are excerpts from Bill’s description:
… heavy fire conditions in the rear of a 1-story S/F/D. Whitehall’s Squrt 3 arrives as first-due engine and stretches two lines – one to the front door and one to the rear using side B. The initial line to the front door was delayed in being charged because of pump problems.
Coplay Engine 5 arrives and stretches two lines to the rear. Another large handline was stretched off of Squrt 3 to the rear using the D side of the home.
Initial engine crews made a good attack through the front door after getting the line wet. However, with the delay in calling 911 (as the homeowner tried to battle the blaze) and with heavy fire conditions met on arrival, the attack was a little to late to save the house, as it was totally gutted.
Companies working the two alarm blaze: Coplay engines 511 and 512, Whitehall Engines 3, 13, 4, rescue 5, Cascade unit 3292 (Woodlawn) EMS 6291 (Cetronia) and Macungie Recon 6651.
The homeowner sustained burns to his feet and was transported to a local hospital. Red Cross was on scene assisting the family.
The Morning Call has details on the homeowner:
Dennis Brandon is a former volunteer firefighter, but he was no match Saturday for a fast-moving fire that erupted while he was watching the Eagles game, destroying his family’s recently-expanded Coplay Borough ranch home.
The fire, which started in the rear of the house at 24 Saylor Drive at about 6:30 p.m., quickly tore through the rancher. Brandon, 61, said he made a brief effort to fight the fire, which he initially thought was confined to the kitchen curtains, but when he realized it was raging out of control, fled the home with his son and called 911.
