At 21:33 hrs on Christmas Eve the apartment fire assignment was dispatched to the 500 block of Lancaster Avenue in East Whiteland Township. Malvern Fire and EMS were due to assist Station 5 (East Whiteland) along with Station 2 (Berwyn) for RIT.

Reports were recieved of an apartment above a garage near the wawa with flames showing from the windows. Lieutenant 5 (Sheridan) arrived confirming the report and requested the working fire dispatch. The working fire dispatch added Air 52, Malvern's Medic 4 and the fire marshals and utilities. Station 56 (Goshen) was also added for RIT.

Lieutenant 5 had Lancaster Avenue Command while Chief 4 (Gastwirth) had Operations. Engine 5-1 arrived first laying in from a hydrant at Lancaster Avenue and Prospect Ave. Ladder 4 arrived next and positioned on the D-side of the structure. Engine 5-1 deployed a 1 3/4" hose line for fire attack while the crew of Ladder 4 split to conduct interior searches, throw ground ladders and perform roof work.

Additional crews arrived including Engine 4-5 and were placed into man power and called upon as needed to complete other fireground tasks like utility control, secondary searches, overhaul etc.

All searches were negative and the fire was placed under control at 22:01. County Fire Marshals are investigating the cause of the fire. There were no reported civilian or firefighter injuries. Malvern units cleared the scene around 23:30 hrs