East Brandywine Fire Company crews were kept busy late Thursday afternoon into the early hours of Friday morning, responding to two separate reported house fires in neighboring communities.

Working Fire – Sweet Spring Road

On Thursday at 4:14 PM, Ludwigs Corner Fire Company, along with mutual aid departments, was dispatched to the 200 block of Sweet Spring Road for a reported house fire. Initial arriving units reported smoke showing from the residence and quickly confirmed a working fire.

Shortly after arrival, additional tankers and a second Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) were requested, bringing East Brandywine Fire Company units to the scene. EBFC responded with Rescue 49, Engine 49-5, and Engine 49-2.

Rescue 49 arrived first from EBFC and was initially assigned as the RIT. However, as crews on scene established operations, Rescue 49 was reassigned to the roof to assist with ventilation efforts.

Operating on the roof, crews opened a gable vent and removed sections of burned siding before moving to the main roof area. Firefighters then performed vertical ventilation, cutting a hole in the roof to allow heat and smoke to escape, improving interior operating conditions for crews working inside the structure.

Engine 49-5’s crew assisted with fireground operations, while Engine 49-2’s crew was assigned to the basement to deploy salvage covers to protect the homeowner’s property from water damage during suppression efforts.

Crews operated on scene for approximately 45 minutes before being released.

Early Morning Response – Hibernia Road

Less than 12 hours later, at 3:08 AM Friday morning, EBFC was dispatched to the 100 block of Hibernia Road in West Brandywine Township to assist Wagontown Fire Company on a reported house fire.

Ladder 49 and Engine 49-5 made the response.

Upon arrival, Ladder 49 proceeded up a long driveway behind Engine 35 and positioned the aerial to the roof. Assistant 35 had arrived moments earlier and reported light smoke showing from the second floor.

Roof operations were initiated to check for any issues, while interior crews conducted an investigation inside the residence. After a thorough assessment, the incident was determined to be the result of a heater malfunction.

With no fire extension found, crews were placed available shortly thereafter.