| At 13:30 this afternoon, station 87 was dispatched to St. Barbara's church on Raymaley road for a fire in a room behind the alter in the church. Assisting 87 on the alarm was stations 63 (Claridge), 13 (Manor), 94 (Penn Boro) and tower ladder 112 (Jeannette). Assistant 87-2 arrived on scene within minutes reporting a working fire and requested quint 7 (Paintertown) added to the alarm as smoke was showing from the eaves of the roof. Also added was team 800 (Westmoreland Co. Haz-Mat) for RIT and air 12 (North Irwin).
Truck 87 went en-route with 3 firefighters and was first due. On scene Assistant 87 requested a line pulled from the truck to begin suppression. Engine 87 took the plug in front of the church and laid into the truck. The truck crew put a quick knock on the fire as it was being contained with a number of dry chem extinguishers by firefighter Brammell who lives near the church.
Due to a heavy smoke condition, command requested ventilation trucks from stations 112 and 3 (Westmoreland City) to assist in ventilating the large structure as there was smoke throughout the building.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Penn Township Police. All units cleared the scene at approximately 15:30. |
