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Heavy Fire at the Conestoga Mennonite Church

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By Captain Corey Hostetler
June 15, 2008

At 12:05 AM, The Twin Valley Fire Department was alerted to assist Lancaster County Station 3-4 (Churchtown) with a reported building fire at the Conestoga Mennonite Church at 2976 Main Street, Caernarvon Township, Lancaster County.

Deputy 3-4 (D.Martin) was first on the scene, and confirmed a working fire in the south wing of the church. Heavy fire was visible from miles away as units from Honey Brook and Goodville were called in to assist. Engine 3-4-1 arrived, and attempted to make an aggressive interior attack, but were hindered buy a partially collapsed roof.

Ladder 69 arrived, and took a staging point at the southern end of the church. It was decided early to back everyone out, and attempt to knock down the bulk of the fire from the exterior with handlines and a 2 1/2" step gun. Once the bulk of the fire was knocked down, crews re-entered the structure and mopped up the hotspots.

Quick actions by the local volunteer firefighters saved this church from burning completely to the ground. Fire personnel encountered heavy fire conditions that almost consumed the entire south wing, and managed to save the chapel and east wing with only minor smoke damage.

All units were clear at 3:50 AM.

Thank you to Stations 62 (Ridge), 34 (Martin's Corner), and Berks Company 7 (Birdsboro) for covering the TVFD district while our volunteers were busy helping our own neighbors.

Tri County Record link:
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19777891&BRD=2149&PAG=461&dept_id=365715&rfi=6

Lancaster News link
http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/223153
Units: Ladder 69, Engine(s) 69-2, 69-5, Rescue 69
 
No Caption
This was the view Ladder 69 had upon arrival. The fire has already burned through the roof.
This was the view Ladder 69 had upon arrival. The fire has already burned through the roof.
 
Firefighters begin to take out windows to make room for the step gun.
Firefighters begin to take out windows to make room for the step gun.
The fire ran strong through the roof structure, and gave crews a tough time inside with collapsed trusses.
The fire ran strong through the roof structure, and gave crews a tough time inside with collapsed trusses.
 
Using the step gun to knock the bulk of the fire down.
Using the step gun to knock the bulk of the fire down.
While a water supply was established, crews re positioned and prepared to make another attempt at an interior attack.
While a water supply was established, crews re positioned and prepared to make another attempt at an interior attack.
 
Firefighters had to move around debris that fell from the roof, like air conditioning units.
Firefighters had to move around debris that fell from the roof, like air conditioning units.
Making progress with the interior attack.
Making progress with the interior attack.
 
No Caption
Making the hit on the southwest corner.
Making the hit on the southwest corner.
 
Fire is placed under control, and crews prepare for a lot of overhauling.
Fire is placed under control, and crews prepare for a lot of overhauling.
TVFD Engine 69-2.
TVFD Engine 69-2.
 
No Caption
Entryway to the south wing. Firefighters encountered heavy fire conditions inside this area. Several hand lines were used to bring this fire under control.
Entryway to the south wing. Firefighters encountered heavy fire conditions inside this area. Several hand lines were used to bring this fire under control.
 
No Caption
In this hallway, lays an air conditioning unit, which crashed through the roof after being consumed by fire.
In this hallway, lays an air conditioning unit, which crashed through the roof after being consumed by fire.
 
This corridor ran north/south, from one end to the chapel. Firefighters spent a lot of time hooking the ceilings checking for extension and extinguishing hot spots.
This corridor ran north/south, from one end to the chapel. Firefighters spent a lot of time hooking the ceilings checking for extension and extinguishing hot spots.
Looking down another hallway.
Looking down another hallway.
 
No Caption
No Caption
 
This room sustained heavy damage. Located at the southern end of the south wing, fire was running through this room when we arrived.
This room sustained heavy damage. Located at the southern end of the south wing, fire was running through this room when we arrived.
Firefighters made an aggressive effort to save the church from a fire that was already through the roof upon their arrival. As you can see in this picture, the chapel area sustained only minimal smoke damage.
Firefighters made an aggressive effort to save the church from a fire that was already through the roof upon their arrival. As you can see in this picture, the chapel area sustained only minimal smoke damage.
 

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