House Fire In West Windsor
Story by: Steven Kadir
West Windsor – On August 2, 2007 Station 43(West Windsor Fire
Department), Station 44(Princeton Junction Fire Department), Squad 145(West
Windsor E.M.S), and Station 45(West Windsor Career Staff) were dispatched to 117
Rabbit Hill Road for a reported structure fire. Mercer County Central upgraded
this to a first alarm assignment: Engine 40(Washington Twp. Fire Department),
Engine 42(East Windsor Fire Department #1), Ladder 41(Hightstown Fire
Department), and Rescue 49(Plainsboro Fire Department) as the F.A.S.T. team.
Telesqurt 43, Ambulance 145-1, Inspector 45, and Director 45(Jim Yates) all
checked in service responding. As units were responding West Windsor Dispatch
notified them that police were on scene and confirming this was a “working
fire”. Telesqurt 43 arrived on location and advised Mercer County Dispatch that
they had a large 2.5 story balloon frame duplex with heavy smoke showing with
fire on the B-side of the structure. Ambulance 145-1, Inspector 45, and Director
45(Jim Yates) had all arrived on scene. Director 45(Jim Yates) took command of
the scene as the additional personnel teamed up with Telesqurt 43’s crew.
Telesqurt 43’s crew led by firefighter Shannon Pope along with firefighters Alex
Farber and Lieutenant Cheryl Willois stretched an inch 1.75-attack line to the
interior and began knocking down the fire in the second floor bedroom and attic.
As this was going on Engine 43, and Engine 40 had signed in service. A few
minutes later Engine 44, Tower 44, Engine 42, and Rescue 49 had signed in
service. Engine 43 arrived and assisted Telesqurt 43’s chauffeur with hand
stretching about 100 feet of 4-inch hose to the hydrant located in front of the
house. Engine 40 arrived right behind Engine 43. Command had Engine 40’s crew
“go to the roof”. Rescue 49 had arrived and set up on the “A” side of the
structure.Interior crews were making an aggressive interior attack knocking down
much of the fire in the second floor bedroom and attic. Firefighters from Engine
40 were “opening up the roof”. Once ventilation had been performed conditions on
the second floor became more tenable for the interior crews, and allowing
interior crews to locate hidden pockets of fire located in the walls and attic.
While ventilation was progressing, additional personnel assisted with knocking
down the fire that had extended to the exterior of the house. Engine 44, Engine
42, Tower 44, Ladder 41, and Rescue 43 had all arrived on scene and started to
relieve the initial crews on scene. Command had requested a second alarm due to
extreme heat (96 degrees) and humidity. This brought in to the scene: Engine
12(Hamilton Fire District #2), Engine 23(Lawrenceville Fire Department), Tower
17(Hamilton Fire District #7), and F.A.S.T. Engine 14-1(Hamilton Fire District
#4) Even though the fire was extinguished prior to the arrival of the second
alarm units, all companies were held for the extensive salvage and overhaul.
East Windsor First Aid Squad #1 and Princeton First Aid Squad did rehab.
Princeton First Aid Squad responded with their rehab unit, which they provided
cold drinks, wet towels, and Misting fans. All of that was greatly appreciated
by all on scene. Engine 46(East Windsor Fire Department #2) was dispatched to
cover Station 43, but due to a call in their local they could not cover. So
Engine 21(Slackwood Fire Department) covered Station 43. Engine 17(Hamilton
District #7) and Tower 62(Princeton Fire Department) covered Station 44 during
the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation by West Windsor Fire
Inspector, and West Windsor Police Department.