Sunday June, 28 2020 @ 13:40

Nature: Automatic Fire Alarm Upgraded to Structure Fire

Address: 35241 5^th St., Bay City, Millsboro, DE 19966

Cross Streets: Main St/7Th St

On Sunday afternoon, June 28, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company was providing a standby / cover up assignment for the Millsboro (83) Fire Company when IR was alerted for an automatic fire alarm (AFA) on 5^th Street in Bay City. 

Emergency response units from Indian River included Rescue 80 from the Oak Orchard facility, Engine #80-3 from the Long Neck facility and Tanker 80 from the Millsboro Fire Company facility. 

While units were responding to the incident location, this AFA incident was upgraded to a working alarm with a smoke condition within the residential structure.

Emergency response crew advanced an 1¾” fire suppression line and entered the residential structure to identify a fire embedded in an interior wall near some floor joist.  Access to the interior was made and suppression was finalized.

It appears that this incident started with an electrical issue involved overheated wires, cords, surge protectors, etc. and spread into the wall of the residential structure.  Various items were taken outside of the residential structure and positive pressure ventilation was utilized to clear the structure of smoke.  The electrical service was discontinued pending notification of an electrician for service repairs.  Tanker 80 was cancelled and returned to Millsboro VFC to finalize their earlier standby cover-up assignment.

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

The Delaware State Fire Marshall did attend and evaluate the situation.