At 3:33pm July 30th Shrewsbury Volunteers along with a first alarm assignment were dispatched to Lois Court in Shrewsbury Township for a reported structure fire. Chief 61 (Myers) responded and was advised by York County 911 reports are fire to the rear of the home and moving inside. Chief 61 also received a text message from a departmental member on scene advising heavy fire showing. A “Working Fire” dispatch was requested which adds additional equipment to the first alarm.

Engines 61-2 and 61-1 responded along with apparatus from Rose, Glen Rock, Eureka and Maryland Line Fire departments. Equipment arrived and confirmed heavy fire to the rear of the home with fire extended into the interior. Crews began fire attack and found fire moving through the walls and under to roof to the attic. Chief 58-1 (McGillin, Rose Fire Co) arrived and, by request of Chief 61 still enroute, assumed Command 61. Crews continued to arrive and make progress on the visible fire to the rear and the interior of the first floor. Fire was still moving through the walls and ceilings and this became a labor intensive fire to control. Ceilings and walls need to be opened and required rotating firefighters who were in need of relief. A second alarm was called for additional manpower to get control of the fire.

By 5:00pm the fire was out and extensive overhaul had to be done of the home. Crews were rotated multiple times due to the high heat index. 2 firefighters from Shrewsbury Volunteers were transported to York Hospital with heat exhaustion. Multiple firefighters were treated on the scene. The fire was declared out and crews got all the fire apparatus on location back in order so they could return. The Pennsylvania State Fire Marshall was notified. Command 61 spoke to him and advised the cause was clearly determined and unintentional. The homeowner was assisted by a home restoration company and the Red Cross. All fire equipment were cleared of location by 6:54pm.

Shrewsbury Volunteers wishes to thank ALL of the mutual aid departments, fire and EMS, who assisted in today’s fire. A high heat index outside and the working fire conditions inside took a toll on many and our department thanks all of you for your teamwork and hard work to put the fire out. Shrewsbury Volunteers wishes to thank all the residents in the neighborhood who brought drinking water to the scene for the firefighters. A special “Thank You” goes to Son’s of Sicily Pizza in Shrewsbury for bringing cases of drinking water to the scene. The support of the community was in full force today and we are humbled.