Tuesday August, 17 2010 @ 01:45:25 Nature: Structure Fire (working incident) Address: 32590 River Rd Millsboro, DE 19966 Early Tuesday morning of August 17th, the Indian River, Millsboro, Lewes, Rehoboth Beach fire companies were 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. Upon being alerted by the Sussex County Emergency Operations Center, Indian River volunteer firefighters in the Oak Orchard area could smell smoke and encountered a heavy smoke condition while responding to the fire station. It was identified that the residential power lines had fallen blocking access to the incident location. Incident Command was coordinated by Jason Faulkner, Operations Command was coordinated Chief Steven C. Deery, Jr. and Water Supply Operations was coordinated by Hayden F. Klinger during the early morning incident. Chief Deery requested an immediate additional response from Georgetown, Dagsboro and Milton fire companies to assist with the incident. Chief Deery requested that Engine #80-1 pass the residential structure in order to mitigate the wind conditions from the west and the heavy fire, smoke and extensive heat conditions. Engine #80-1 was immediately assigned to initiate to 2½” fire suppression lines and three 1¾” fire suppression lines as well. It was immediately determined that this incident would require an all exterior fire suppression attack strategy. Tanker 80 was assigned to supply water resources to Engine #80-1. Tanker 83 was also assigned to provide water resources for these fire suppression strategies with Engine #80-1. Engines #80-3, #80-5, #80-2 had accessibility issues due to low or fallen overhead power lines on Oak Orchard Road and required forcible access via ancillary private development access roads. Engine #80-3 was assigned to address fire protection strategies to nearby residential structures due to the excessive heat and flying embers and debris. Tanker 73 was assigned to Engine #80-3 for its water supply requirements. Engine #80-2, Engine #80-5 as well as Millsboro, Lewes and Rehoboth fire companies were required to assist with water shuttle assignments after their respective manpower were utilized at the incident with fire suppression measures. Milton fire department was requested to provide stand-by coverage for Indian River's fire district. Ironically, the residential structure had just commenced with demolition of the rear and of the residential structure and the excavator was involved in the fire and sustained significant fire damage. Many nearby residential structures, personal campers (RVs), personal vehicles and vessels may have suffered heat or fire ember damage as well. The Delaware State Fire Police were required to close River Road and Oak Orchard to all nearby traffic for the duration of the incident. The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the incident. Additional information may be located at the following web pages: (1) WGMD Radio 92.7 – www.wgmd.com http://www.wgmd.com/?p=8641 (2) Sussex Countian Newspaper http://www.sussexcountian.com/news/police_and_fire/x1422848305/Fire-Marshal-investigating-Tuesday-fire-in-Oak-Orchard Fire Marshal investigating Tuesday fire in Oak Orchard By Submission Sussex Countian Posted Aug 17, 2010 @ 02:42 PM OAK ORCHARD, DEL. — The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a dwelling fire that occurred on Tuesday, August 17, at 1:44 a.m. on the 32000 block of River Road in the Oak Orchard section of Millsboro. The Indian River Fire Department, assisted by the Millsboro, Lewes, Rehoboth Beach and Dagsboro Fire Departments, responded to the scene. Upon arrival they encountered a two story wood framed home fully engulfed in flames, as well as a 28 foot camper and several adjacent homes damaged by fire. The home was not equipped with working smoke detectors. Two occupants were able to escape the camper unharmed and no other victims reported any injuries. In total the damages have been estimated at approximately $250,000. State Fire Marshal Investigators have determined that the fire, which was intentionally set, originated on the exterior of the home. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-TIP-3333 or The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office at 302-856-5600. Copyright 2010 Sussex Countian. Some rights reserved