5MAY14 Harrisburg City Belleview Rd House Fire

Harrisburg Bureau of Fire A Battalion firefighters were dispatched just after 10:30 am on May 5, 2014 for a kitchen fire reported to be a grease fire on the stove.

Two of the first alarm companies were on the river conducting boat training so covering companies responded in their place.

Tower 2 responded from the Uptown, and upon their response requested a 2nd alarm assignment due to the significant thermal column that was visible.

Wagon 4 arrived and could see significant fire conditions from the end of the block. The quickly decided a blitz attack would be the initial tactic.

This tactic worked great and held the fire from further extending to the exposure homes which were already becoming involved.

Wagon 4 laid in from 19th and Bellevue and utilized the deck gun to put a good hit on the fire. It was quickly followed up with a 2" line and an interior attack.

Firefighters were evacuated for a few minutes due to deteriorating conditions in the rear of the houses.

After the main body of fire was hit and knocked down crews reentered the homes and completed the extinguishment of the fire.

The fire went to 3 alarms and required assistance of departments from Dauphin, Cumberland and York County's.

Recently Harrisburg's minimum on duty staffing was reduced from 16 to 14 and Tower 3 was placed out of service and their station permanently closed. Currently the on duty crews staff 2 trucks and 3 engine companies.