Wednesday August, 7 2019 @ 14:32

Nature: Structure Fire

Location: In the area of:  34658 Scarp St Millsboro, DE 19966

On Wednesday afternoon, August 7^th, the Indian River (80), Millsboro (83), and Lewes (82) fire companies were alerted for a structure fire on Scarp Street in the Pot Nets Bayside development.  It was immediately updated as possible subjects trapped and these would be children.

Emergency response units from Indian River included Tanker 80, Rescue 80, and Chief 80-15 from the Oak Orchard facility as well as Engine #80-3 from the Long Neck facility.  The Delaware State Fire Police, Sussex County Paramedics, and the local emergency medical services provider were also alerted.

Emergency response crew assignments included fire suppression to the rear of the structure where two large propane tanks were venting as well as preparing for an initial search assignments.  Other crews were assigned with the primary and secondary search assignment, water supply, traffic control, scene preservation, and overall incident mitigation.

Additional resources were requested from the Sussex County Paramedics, the Delaware Division of Forensic Sciences, the Delaware State Police, the Sussex County Emergency Operations Center Mobile Command Unit, the Delaware Victim Services, and Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM Team), and the Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office.  Standby crews at Indian River's fire station was Georgetown (77).

The Delaware State Police and the Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office is conducting a joint investigation into this incident.  Additionally, access to the fire grounds were limited to essential personnel only and an aerial flight restriction was imposed.

Various state and county elected officials were presented to offer condolences and services of assistance to all impacted.  All first responder organizations underwent stress debriefing sessions after the incident at their respective stations. 

Additional information may be obtained by view the following websites, links, and news outlets:

1. WGMD 92.7 Radio

Fatal Fire in Pot-Nets

Firefighters, state police and fire investigators are on the scene of a fatal fire on Scarp Street in Pot-Nets Bayside.

The call for help came in around 2:30 p.m. Arriving firefighters reported fire showing from the residence.

A toddler has been removed from the residence and taken to the hospital. She was suffering from smoke-related injuries.

WGMD has also received reports of at least one fatality.

Crews from Indian River, Millsboro, Lewes, Mid-Sussex Rescue and Sussex County EMS personnel responded to the scene. The State Fire Marshal is at the scene to determine the cause and origin of the fire.

This is a developing story and will be updated shortly.

2. WBOC TV

UPDATED: Three Young Children Killed in Long Neck Fire

Posted: Aug 07, 2019 3:36 PM EDT Updated: Aug 07, 2019 8:43 PM EDT

LONG NECK, Del.- Three children, all under the age of five, were found dead in a Long Neck house fire Wednesday afternoon.

Fire crews arrived at the home on Scarp Street shortly after 2:30 p.m, in the Pots Nets Bayside community. 

Multiple fire companies, including the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company, the Lewes Fire Department and the Millsboro Fire Company, responded to the scene.

"We were initially dispatched for a structure fire for reported subjects trapped," explains IRVFC President Patrick Miller. "When we came on scene we found heavy smoke and fire showing from the rear of the residence." 

Delaware State Police confirm that three children under the age of five were found dead in the back of the trailer. One child, also under the age of five, was taken out of the house by a parent. The child was taken to Beebe Medical Center and was released after being medically evaluated.

"I can tell you with something this tragic we need to respect the family and our hearts and thoughts and prayers go out to this family, the community, friends and family," says Delaware State Police Sgt. Richard Bratz. "The Delaware State Police, the Fire Marshals, the fire departments the EMS, first responders are all here for them so we can get through this together."

Fire crews are expected to be on scene for several hours.

Troopers say the three children who died in the fire were turned over to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science.  An autopsy will be performed to determine the manner and cause of death.

4. Cape Gazette Newspaper https://www.capegazette.com/article/three-children-killed-pot-nets-fire/186247

Three children killed in Pot-Nets fire

Three children died Aug. 7 in a house fire in the Pot-Nets Bayside community near Long Neck.

Firefighters from Millsboro, Indian River, Georgetown and Lewes responded to the blaze on Scarp Street about 2:30 p.m.

Tunnell Companies L.P. confirmed the tragic news in a press release. 

“On behalf of the entire Pot-Nets family, we are completely devastated by the event that occurred this afternoon. We send our deepest sympathies to the families of the three children who did not survive today’s house fire. While we are grieving and stunned at this loss, we are grateful for the selfless efforts of neighbors and first responders who were first to arrive today. We pray for these children. We pray for this family. We pray for our community.”

Hours after the fire was under control, a small group family and friends gathered in a vacant lot across the street from the scene. No one was really in the mood to talk. A feeling of shock and sadness was palpable as they watched state police detectives and fire officials try to piece together how the tragic event happened.

One woman, who declined to give her name but identified herself as the fiancee of family member, said two of the three children were twins. She said they were all good kids. They had grown up here, she said.

Behind a row of small trees, a group of neighbors gathered around a golf cart. One woman said she lived in a house on the next street over. She said the neighborhood was full of kids, who were always playing. It could have been anyone of them, she said.

Delaware State Police and the State Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating the fire. When firefighters arrived on the scene, the rear part of the home was engulfed in flames. The fire was quickly extinguished. 

Upon entering the home through heavy smoke, firefighters found the three children, all under the age of 5 years old. 

While the home was on fire, one other child was safely rescued by a parent. The child was transported to Beebe Healthcare, where they were treated and released. 

More information will be added as it is released. .

http://www.wboc.com/clip/14884853/updated-fire-crews-respond-to-long-neck-fire-3-children-found-dead

https://www.delmarvanow.com/videos/news/local/delaware/2019/08/07/watch-police-say-3-children-dead-millsboro-fire/1949247001/

https://www.delawareonline.com/videos/news/local/2019/08/08/state-fire-marshal-michael-chionchio-talks-pot-nets-fire-killed-3-children/1954510001/

https://www.dailydispatch.com/StateNews/DE/2019/August/07/Three.Young.Children.Killed.in.Long.Neck.Fire.aspx

https://www.wrde.com/story/40889703/fire-crews-respond-to-deadly-long-neck-fire

5. WRDE.COM

UPDATED: Family Identifies Three Young Children Killed in Long Neck Fire

LONG NECK, Del.- Three children, all under the age of five, were found dead in a Long Neck house fire Wednesday afternoon.

Fire crews arrived at the home on Scarp Street shortly after 2:30 p.m, in the Pot-Nets Bayside community. 

Multiple fire companies, including the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company, the Lewes Fire Department and the Millsboro Fire Company, responded to the scene.

"We were initially dispatched for a structure fire for reported subjects trapped," explained IRVFC President Patrick Miller. "When we came on scene we found heavy smoke and fire showing from the rear of the residence." 

Delaware State Police confirmed that three children under the age of five were found dead in the back of the trailer. One child, also under the age of five, was taken out of the house by a parent. The child was taken to Beebe Medical Center and was released after being medically evaluated.

Two of the three children found dead were 4-year-old twins, Skylar and Veronica Marchuck. The other child was a baby named Amaya Gentner, a cousin of the twins, according to friends of the Gentner family.

All three children lived in the home. 

While the three girls were found in a back bedroom, family members say the fourth child was removed from another area of the home by her parent. 

"I can tell you with something this tragic we need to respect the family and our hearts and thoughts and prayers go out to this family, the community, friends and family," sayid Delaware State Police Sgt. Richard Bratz. "The Delaware State Police, the Fire Marshals, the fire departments the EMS, first responders are all here for them so we can get through this together."

The Delaware State Fire Marshal said no smoke alarms were present in the home. 

The fire caused an estimated $50,000 in damages, fire officials said.

Troopers said the three children who died in the fire were turned over to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science.  An autopsy will be performed to determine the manner and cause of death.