House Fire on Starr Road

At 09:39, Avondale and West Grove Fire Companies were dispatched to the 100 block of Starr Road for a house fire, reported to be barn apartments with possible entrapment. Ambulance 23-2 was the first unit on scene advising there were reports of 4-5 people unaccounted for, and heavy smoke pushing from all sides. The incident was upgraded immediately adding several other companies. The initial engine crew gained access for a primary search of the residence, notifying the incoming officers of heavy fire on the B side. Search of the second floor, where the occupants were known to reside, was negative. The fire quickly overcame the building forcing crews to evacuate to safety. Master stream operations were utilized to extinguish the blaze. About 40 residents were evacuated to St. Roccos Church to coordinate with the Red Cross. It was later confirmed that the missing residents were safe and sound, all occupants were accounted for. The incident was completed approximately five hours later. Cause of the fire is still under investigation by the county fire marshals.

**A Master Streams operation is when firefighters use large volumes of water that hand lines cannot produce to put out the fire. This comes primarily from ladder pipes connected to the ladder trucks, or ground based deck guns. Ladder pipes also offer an elevated advantage to the fire ground which certainly can make a difference.