Wednesday December, 11 2024 @ 19:20

Nature: Smoke Investigation / Upgrade Structure Fire / Upgrade Multi Residential Fire w/ Entrapment - Fatal Incident

Location: 31070 Crepe Myrtle Dr Gull Point, DE 19966

On Wednesday evening, December 11^th, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company was alerted for a smoke investigation incident on Crepe Myrtle Drive in the Gull Point development.  This incident was upgraded to a structure fire alarm and shortly thereafter an additional upgrade was for a multi-residential structure with possible entrapment.  Additional emergency alerts included the Millsboro (83), Dagsboro (73), Lewes (82) and Milton (85) fire departments as well as the Mid Sussex Rescue Squad and the Sussex County Paramedics.

Emergency response units from Indian River included Tower 80 and Rescue 80 from the Oak Orchard facility as well as Tanker 80, Chief 80-15, Engine 80-1 and Brush 80 from the Long Neck facility as well as the Delaware State Fire Police.  Many mutual aid partners were alerted to assist with this incident cover up assignments.

Emergency response crew assignments included apparatus placement around the residential structure, laying large diameter hose (LDH) to get the hydrant at Warwick Cove and Paleo Way, activation of  initial fire suppression lines to conduct primary and secondary search for possible entrapment of residential occupant(s), activation of additional fire suppression lines for exposure issues to adjacent residential units as well as addressing the B/C sides of the initial residential unit, establishment of water supply to aerial trucks and tanker. Utilization of aerial and ladder trucks as needed on side A and at the B/C corner. Establishment of a manpower resource pool as well as firefighter rehab areas as needed.

Initially, this incident alerted the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company for a smoke investigation incident because of smoke in area behind the house.  This was upgraded to a residential structure fire with heavy smoke based upon additional notifications which was further upgraded to a multi-residential structure with possible occupant entrapment.

Initial arriving emergency response personnel alerted the Emergency Operations Center of heavy smoke and fire showing with exposure extension concerns on the “delta” side with additional instructions forthcoming for apparatus assignments, suppression assignments, primary and secondary search assignments of impacted residential unit(s).

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

The Delaware State Police and Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating. 

The Sussex County CISM Team was requested to respond for assistance as needed. Additional information may be published as necessary.

The were not any firefighter injuries associated with this incident.

Additional information may be viewed via the following websites:

• Cape Gazette News - https://www.capegazette.com/article/one-person-found-dead-oak-orchard-fire/284893

• WRDE News - https://www.coasttv.com/news/townhouse-fire-in-millsboro-reveals-one-dead-inside/article_eca64df6-b892-11ef-9927-ab336d541f87.html

• WBOC News - https://www.wboc.com/news/one-dead-in-millsboro-townhouse-fire/article_6190fdec-b88d-11ef-b94c-1fe76ee88db8.html

• WGMD News - https://www.wgmd.com/fire-at-townhouse-unit-in-millsboro-occupant-found-dead/.