At 0403 hours on November 16th, the East Whiteland Fire Company was dispatched to the 2000 block of Charlestown Road in Charlestown Township for reports of a commercial building fire along with mutual aid. While en route, Engine 5 reported visible fire from a distance and requested the working fire dispatch, which brought PECO, the Chester County Fire Marshals, and additional fire apparatus to the scene. Due to the proximity of the fire scene to the Great Valley bus garage, the school buses had to be rerouted to avoid the fire scene. Charlestown Road Command requested that the stand-by crews put in place at the various fire stations be brought to the scene to assist with manpower. This brought Delaware County Engine 41, Engine 47-2, and Montgomery County Engine 98-1 to the scene.

After approximately two hours, the incident was put under control. Units operated on the scene for approximately six hours before clearing.

This incident is under investigation by the Chester County Fire Marshalls and the Charlestown Township Fire Marshal.

We want to thank Station 56 (Goshen Fire Company) for standing by our station while we responded to this call.

Units: Ladder 4, Micu 4.