Wilmington firefighters on the A Platoon were alerted to a residential fire with one occupant trapped. Crews found heavy fire showing from the second floor of a two-story middle-of-the-row dwelling. Crews stretched lines and began an aggressive interior attack. Simultaneously, additional crews searched all levels of the dwelling and located a victim. Due to heavy fire conditions, the female victim found by firefighters was pronounced at the scene. Prior to fire department arrival a male employee of the property management company overseeing the residence attempted to affect a rescue of the trapped victim. Due to the extreme heat and smoke the employee was unable to reach the victim. The male employee was treated for smoke inhalation by St. Francis EMS and New Castle County Paramedics.
He was listed in serious condition at Christiana Hospital. The scene was placed under control at 1108 by Incident Commander Chief Michael Donohue. The adjacent dwelling sustained smoke damage and minor fire damage. The American Red Cross was contacted to assist with all of the displaced residents. The Wilmington Fire Marshall’s Office along with Delaware State Fire Marshalls and ATF conducted an investigation.
The following units responded: Engine 6, Engine 5, Engine 1, Squad 4, Ladder 2, Ladder 1, Battalion-1, Battalion-2, F-1, Deputy 2, Deputy 3, Deputy 4, Deputy 5, F9, St. Francis EMS, New Castle County Paramedics, Wilmington Licenses and Inspections, Delmarva Power, and Wilmington Police.
– Submitted by John Looney
