At 19:44 while a few members were in station working on some projects, the Engine was dispatched as part of the first alarm assignment for a residential fire in Bethel Township. Along with Station 66 (Bethel Hose Co. 1), Engine 13-2 (Claymont Fire Co.), Rescue 40 (Boothwyn Fire Co.) and RIT 63 (Green Ridge Fire Co.) were on the response to the 1700 Blk of Ashbrooke Ave. Engine 1 made the response with 5 members just after tones finished being dispatched and want on location at the address within a minute (the residence is less than a 1/4 mile from station 55).
The Engine arrived with nothing showing from the exterior, with Chief 55 (Craig D. Small) getting out to investigate, and the crew starting to stretch a 1.75 inch line. Chief 55 was met by the Homeowner in front of the house stating her kitchen cabinets were on fire. As the Chief opened the front door, he was met with a smoke condition banked down within a couple feet of the floor, and an active fire in the kitchen. The Chief updated Fireboard that this incident was a working fire and the Engine was going in-service.
The crew stretched into the kitchen to find the stove, microwave, and adjoining cabinets burning, with the fire starting to cross the ceiling. Engine 66-3 arrived next with Chief 66 (Craig E. Small) establishing "Ashbrooke Command", and had his crew stretch a back-up line. The fire was quickly knocked down by Engine 1's crew, with the crew of 66-3 completing a search and ventilating the residence. The crew continued to work by pulling down the smoldering cabinets, opening the burnt walls and ceiling to check for extension with the crew of Engine 13-2 assisting. The fire was contained to the cooking area of the kitchen, with a very minor point of extension making it through the electrical receptacle into the wall behind the microwave. Chief 66 placed the situation undercontrol at about the first 10 minute mark, with all responding units remaning to secure the residence, cleaning up the scene, and placing apparatus back in-service. Engine 1 returned to quarters around an hour & half after dispatch.
