Wednesday nights at Thorndale Fire Company are typically drill nights for the volunteers. Every week we meet and go over different aspects of the fire service from fire suppression, vehicle rescue, fire police responsibilities and much more. Last night was no different as the members met for our annual Chief's Meeting usually held on the first Wednesday of the new year to go over what happened the previous year and what is planned for the new year. Over twenty members attended the meeting and as it was finishing up and members were about to go home things went from relaxed and quiet to organized chaos in a matter of seconds.

Shortly after 9pm Station 38 along with Ladder 41 (Coatesville), Engine 76 (VA Fire Dept), Engine 37 (Modena), Engine and Tanker 39 (West Bradford) and RIT 47 (Lionville) were dispatched to the 200blk of Caranel Circle in Caln Twp for the reported house fire. Chief, Deputy, Assistant, Engine, Rescue, Traffic, Squad and Utility 38 all made the response in less than a minute. Chief 38 was advised by the County 911 Center that they were receiving numerous calls and were getting reports of a bed on fire in an upstairs bedroom.

Chief 38 arrived on location with a 3 story middle of the row townhome with smoke showing from the third floor. Fire could also be seen from a third floor window in the rear. Ladder 41-2, Engine 76 and Engine 38 all arrived at virtually the same time and went straight to work each having their own assignments. Ladder 41-2 took the front of the building and began to set up the aerial ladder to the roof while crews also threw ground ladders to the windows, Engine 38 laid a 5 inch supply line in from the hydrant to the scene while Engine 76 pulled in behind Ladder 41-2 and stretched an 1 3/4 handline into the building. Engine 38's crew also stretched a 300ft 1 3/4 handline into the fire building. While crews from Engine 38 and Engine 76 made their way to the 3rd floor and started putting a knock on the fire crews from Ladder 41-2 went to the roof and began to cut ventilation holes in the roof.

Crews from 37 and 39 arrived soon after and began assisting with checking the exposure dwellings as well as putting fans in service to remove smoke from the dwellings. Traffic 38 along with Utility 38 and Traffic 37 were on scene as well providing traffic control around the fire scene.

The fire was placed under control quickly and crews began overhaul inside checking for any hidden area's of smoke or fire while crews on the outside began to clean up and place the equipment back into service.

No injuries to civilians or firefighters were reported.