Several Fires Keep Hopewell Valley Fire Companies Busy Over Weekend

 

Early Friday morning the members of the Valley fire companies were stirred from their beds as sirens rang out throughout the midnight air. It was 00:05 and there was a reported dwelling fire with entrapment on Seminary Ave. Turns out both apartments were unoccupied but there were flames showing when patrol arrived. Chief Bill Springer of the Hopewell Fire Dept, called for the first alarm as he arrived and was updated by police. The bathroom fan had malfunctioned and caught fire as the cleaning personnel were on scene. The fire was contained to the fixture with some minor damage while checking for extension.

Friday evening around 20:00 the sirens roared to life again, as a heavy thunderstorm had passed thru the Valley and lightning reportedly struck  a detached garage on Fabrow Dr. As crews from Station 51 and 33 arrived there was moderate smoke showing from the small garage, after being knocked down and held at bay with a garden hose by arriving patrol. The fire was extingushed, as the Tanker and the RIT arrived on scene. Overhaul was completed and the Station was recalled by the incident commander.

Sunday afternoon brought a swift response from not only the Valley fire companies but also stations from Mercer, Somerset, Hunterdon and Bucks Counties. A residential house fire was reported by the homeowner who had thought his house was damaged from Friday night's storm. As patrol arrived the fire was thru the roof, as seen in the picture above. Also posted on Youtube  Crews worked for hours while not only battling the house fire but also the summer heat. Over 200,000 gallons of water was used to quell the raging flames as the fire was brought under control about 1630 hours by incident commander Pennington Fire Chief Dave Pinelli. All occupants of the house and pets were safe, and the investigation is ongoing by the Hopewell Twp Police, Fire Safety, Mercer County Prosecutors Office and the County Fire Marshall.

 CAFS Drill

2009 Memorial Day Parade

 

HFD marches at Pennington's Memorial Day Parade, click here for more pictures.

3 Generations of the Toth Family 

Back row: Joe Toth  II, Joe Toth Sr, Mike Toth

Front row: Catlyn, Joseph III, Joshua, Mary Eileen Toth

 

HFD Battles Structure and Ambulance Fire

April 27 - The call came into the HTPD radio room at 18:55 hours reporting a tree branch had fallen on top of a wire. No smoke or fire was reported at the time. HTPD Officer Grey was dispatched, and then updated as the second call from the residence reported smoke coming from the rear apartment. Upon arrival Officer Grey found heavy fire conditions. Mercer County Central Communications had already struck a full first alarm under the direction of responding HFD Chief Bill Springer. Chief Springer established command and immediately summoned a 2nd alarm for tanker box 50. As Quint 52 arrived with Deputy Chief Joe Novak, they pulled a 2 1/2" CAFS line and stretched it to the side D of the structure and were presented with heavy fire. A quick knock down ensued, as the other crew from the Quint pulled the 1 3/4" CAFS line and took position on side B, to protect the exposure of the three 100 gallon propane tanks. Engine and Tanker 52 arrived and helped with interior suppression, as the other units began to arrive from Station 51, 53, 23, 26 (HC), 32, 45 (SC), 35 (SC) and many others involved with mutual aid tankers.

The fire was placed under control a short time later. As overhaul and extinguishment continued, a radio call went out about a fire in the staging line. Some units were redirected to the neighboring property where the Hopewell Ambulance 152-4 was staged in the resident’s driveway. The ambulance driver was alerted to the fire by several tanker drivers who were in staging. All occupants were determined to be out of the vehicle. Assistant Chief Will Mullen arrived on-scene to take command. Ast. Chief Mullen reported the vehicle to be fully involved in heavy fire emanating from under the vehicle, as crews started knocking down the fire, several trees and shrubbery burst into flames, and the gas tanks let loose sending a burning river of gasoline down the residents driveway. The fire was brought under control rapidly as several hand lines were deployed by nearby engines. The busy night ended with an accident between two trucks in staging, and another truck getting stuck in the mud requiring a tow truck.

More Structure pictures.

More Ambulance pictures.