Wednesday July, 12 2023 @ 12:33

Nature: Structure Fire

Notes:  NO HYDRANTS

Address:  32875 Circle Dr Orchard Manor, DE 19966

On Wednesday afternoon, July 12^th, the Indian River (80), Lewes (82), Millsboro (83), and Rehoboth Beach (86) fire companies were alerted for a residential structure fire on Circle Drive in the Orchard Manor development off Oak Orchard Road.  Information supplied at time of dispatching indicating heavy fire from the front and roof area of the structure and someone yelling that they need an ambulance.

Additional emergency alerts included the Sussex County Paramedics, the Millsboro EMS Unit, and the Delaware State Fire Police.  Other mutual aid companies (Dagsboro (73), Frankford (76), and Milton (85)) were alerted for standby cover up assignments.

Emergency response units from Indian River included Tanker 80 and Utility 80-11 from the Oak Orchard facility, Engines #80-3, #80-1, and Brush 80-0 from Long Neck facility and the Delaware State Fire Police.

Emergency response crew assignments included a primary and secondary search of the residential structure to ascertain that no subjects were trapped, protection of exposures (cars and neighboring properties), establish rehab location, establish water supply and/or water shuttle, perform fire suppression activities, request to cut holes for ventilation, and other assignments.

The roof ventilation assignment encountered difficulty because of multiple layers of roofing with an a-frame structure over a modified single wide manufactured home with multiple additions giving the appearance of normal residential structure.  Interior firefighters could not penetrate the manufactured home roofing and requested holes cut from the exterior. The incident command requested evacuation tones be activated because of insufficient water supply.   

The Sussex County Paramedics and the Millsboro EMS units provided a rehab station and performed evaluation of firefighting personnel as needed.  The American Red Cross was notified to assist with the displaced occupants.

It appears that the fire may have originated on the exterior (front porch) area and spread throughout the A-frame roof and interior of the structure.  There was a partial roof collapse for the section that was remaining.  

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

The Delaware State Fire Marshall is investigating.

Additional information may be viewed via the following websites -

(1)  Cap Gazette News - https://www.capegazette.com/article/fire-burns-oak-orchard-home/261463

(2)  WRDE - https://www.wrde.com/news/roof-collapses-in-oak-orchard-house-fire-everyone-escapes/article_c2dd8e92-20d8-11ee-b03c-db3d3a3a89d2.html