Sunday, November, 12 2011 Nature: Oak Orchard Fires of Yester Years Address: Oak Orchard Road – River Road Area The fire district of Indian River is both a rural community and a vacation destination for many families on the East Coast especially during the summer months. The fire district covers approximately 60 square miles with a full time population of 20,500 and a seasonal population over 40,000. Over the years, Indian River has experienced many emergency incidents along the water front communities which has yielded numerous photographic opportunities. Our Fire Recorder, John Swithenbank, served in this elected position since 1984 and has captured many of the memorable and not so memorable incidents of the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company. This incident recap will highlight two emergency incidents dealing with residential structure fires nearly 17 years apart. August, 1993 In August, 1993, on one summer weekend morning with heavy dense fog in Oak Orchard, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company was alerted for a structure fire on Oak Orchard Road immediately down from the fire house along the waterfront. The incident involved multiple unoccupied structures neighboring the “Old Hotel Property” which was also known as the Village Dock Restaurant and then in recent years the site of White Caps Restaurant. These properties were owned over the years by the Schaffer family with other sites owned by the Pianka family. The Schaffer properties were completely destroyed and condemned from occupancy and later razed. The Pianka property was renovated and later sold. Ironically, this residential structure was at one time owned by the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company and the structure was relocated when Indian River cleared the land for future expansion of Station #1. This incident required the assistance of neighboring fire companies which included but not limited to: Lewes Fire Department (Station #82); Millsboro Fire Company (Station #83), Rehoboth (Station #86) and other stand-by companies. August, 2010 In August, 2010, on a summer Tuesday morning, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company was alerted for a working residential structure fire on River Road between Cerise Lane and Oak Orchard Road. Initial reports indicated that the structure was fully involved. This incident involved a multiple story unoccupied structure which was previously owned by the Pianka family. This structured was scheduled for demolition within the following few days. This incident required the assistance of the neighboring fire companies which included but not limited to: Lewes Fire Department (Station #82); Millsboro Fire Company (Station #83), Rehoboth (Station #86) Fire Company and other stand-by companies. You may view this August 2010 incident on our website at: http://www.irvfc.com/gallery.cfm?id=560