Crew Battles Tractor Trailer Fire on Turnpike
 
By TVFD
April 25, 2019
 

At 10:16am, TVFD was dispatched to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Westbound at mile maker 294.0 in Caernarvon Twp. Lancaster County for a tractor trailer fire. Engine 69-5 Responded with a crew of 4. Additional notes given to responding crews indicated a brake fire that spread to the trailer. Minutes later, Engine 69-5 arrived and confirmed that a tractor trailer was fully involved. Prior to the arrival of fire crews, the truck driver disconnected his tractor from the trailer giving crews plenty of room to work around the scene. As firefighters stretched both front bumper lines off of the engine, Glenmoore Fire Company Engine 48-5 was requested to the scene. Once the lines were charged, firefighters knocked down the bulk of the fire in the rear of the trailer. Crews found the load of the trailer to be many different types of books. Hooks were used to dig through the pile of burning books so crews could put water on the deep-seated fire. An additional Engine was requested for manpower bringing Geigertown Fire Company Engine 24 to the scene. Churchtown Fire Company Tanker 34 was enroute to Station 69 to cover our area when they were also requested to the scene. As fire started to slowly move to the front of the trailer, firefighters used saws to cut a hole near the front of the trailer and stop the progress of the fire. Abel Brothers Towing brought a back hoe to the scene to assist with overhaul. At 12:30 PM the fire was placed under control with extensive overhaul. Firefighters stretched a total of 350ft of hose and used about 5000 gallons of water along with 15 gallons of foam to extinguish the fire. Garden Spot Fire Rescue tanker 39 stood by at Station 69 to cover the area. Crews were on scene for just under 4 hours

TVFD cleared at 2:05pm

 
Units: Engine 69-5; Utility 69
 
Mutual Aid: Glenmoore FC, Churchtown FC, Geigertown FC, Garden Spot FC