Tac and Engine 77 Go To Work on Massive Hay Bale Fire
By Firefighter Ross Greenwood
April 15, 2016
Station 98 and Chester Tanker 63-5 were dispatched at 22:01 to a Dwelling fire in the area of Old State Rd and 2nd Ave in Upper Providence Twp. Multiple calls were coming into Montgomery County 911 Center for large flames in the field. CH98 arrived to find a large quantity of hay bales (about 300 bales) on fire in a large field off the road. CH98 took 98 command and requested E77 to assist with laying a 5 inch supply line.
E77 was dispatched at 22:08 and responded in 7 minutes. E77 assisted E98 to finish the supply line off of the hydrant at Old State Rd and Meadowgreen Lane. All 1500 feet of supply line was used from both E98 and E77. E99 assisted with finishing the rest of the lay, for a total of 3000 feet of 5 inch hose, to supply Chester 63-5.
Tac 77 also was requested to assist. Tac 77 arrived on scene and went right into the field to provide lighting, forestry lines, forestry tools, and manpower.
Command 98 requested Upper Providence Township loaders and backhoes to assist breaking the hay bales apart. Station 41 was called to provide food for about 60 firefighters and two more Engines (SD34, SD51) were called to assist with manpower.
Crews continued to extinguish the hay bales after being separated and spread out throughout the field. Units remained on scene until 06:00 AM.
