Monday March, 21 2022 @ 15:35

Initial Dispatch: Grass Fire

Upgraded Dispatch: Structure Fire

Location: 28970 Cordrey Rd., Millsboro, DE 19966

On Monday, March 21^st, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company was initially alerted for a grass (vegetation) fire on Cordrey Road between William Street Road and Carlos Lane.  According to a Delaware State Trooper on patrol in the area, it was identified to include possible camper type recreational travel trailer.  Responding units from Indian River encountered visible heavy black in the area of John J. Williams Highway and requested an engine from the Millsboro (83) Volunteer Fire Co., Inc.

Upon arrival of the initial fire police officers and additional information, Tanker 80 arrived and requested an box alarm activation for structure fire with multiple exposure issues.  The box alarm alert included the Millsboro (83), Georgetown (77) volunteer fire companies as well as the Mid Sussex Rescue Squad and the Sussex County Paramedics.  Additional resources where requested to the scene from Milton (85), Dagsboro (73), Rehoboth Beach (86) and mutual aid cover up assignments for Lewes (82), Ellendale (75), Frankford (76), and Gumboro (79) volunteer fire companies.

Emergency response units from Indian River included Tanker 80 and Utility 80-11 with Polaris 80 from the Oak Orchard facility as well as Engines #80-1 & 80-3 and Brush 80-0 from the Long Neck facility.  The Delaware State Fire Police also responded to the incident.

Emergency response crew assignments included initial efforts for fire suppression on multiple aspects with exposure concern; multiple fire locations based upon the vegetation fire spreading and igniting other structures, other RV campers, vessels, other sheds, decking, box utility trailers, and the residential structure with other assignments such as:

• Establishment of water supply for arriving units;

• Brush truck and utility apparatus assignments to outer most parts of the parcel which has encountered the fire spread;

• Apparatus staging with establishment of manpower pool;

• Water shuttle operations from nearby hydrants;

• Area mop up assignments with salvage or access of necessary areas.

It appears that the occupants of the property had been burning in a burn pit that got out of control based upon the dry vegetation and high wind conditions which allowed the fire to spread to nearby campers (travel trailers), boats, utility box trailers, many consumer collectibles, other buildings, etc.

The Sussex County Paramedics and Mid Sussex Rescue Squad were utilized to evaluate a firefighter that needed medical attention and transporting to nearby medical facilities for additional observation.

The Delaware State Fire Police coordinated traffic control and scene access for the duration of the incident.

The Delaware State Fire Marshal is investigating the incident.

Additional information will be made available as available.  You may view aerial drone footage of the area after much of the fire was extinguished - https://www.facebook.com/irvfc/videos/341033341408695