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City companies were taxed last weekend with a rash of suspicious fires concentrated in the cities west side. The fires began on Friday the 16th, with Box 723 transmitted around 1830 hrs for smoke from a vacant dwelling in the 300 block of Pear street. Ladder 1 located a small fire at 328 Pear street, the fire was quickly contained. The property was under minor renovations, and the fire appeared to be suspicious. Saturday, with "A" platoon members coming to work, Box 723 was transmitted once again. This time companies found a large volume of fire from 328 Pear street. With the fire moving quickly down several porches. The fire also extended into the second floor of the fire building.
A 2nd alarm was transmitted to bring extra manpower to the scene. The fire was placed under control at 1820 with extensive overhaul. While crews were busy on Pear Street, a 15 passenger van was lit on the parking lot of the former House of Good Food. Companies arrived, and found the van fully involved only blocks from the Pear Street incident. With "A" platoon members now at work, reserve apparatus was also staffed with additional personnel.
Later in the evening "A" platoon members were again sent into motion with Box 79 transmitted for the 200 block of Schuylkill Avenue. Companies found a vehicle fire at the rear 205 Schuylkill Ave, with extension into 207 and the rear of 201, which was an "L" shaped building. Immediately after the fire, Engine 3 was sent a few blocks over to Schiller street and found another fire. This time a motorcycle was lit in front of the Schiller Street playground.
Sunday remained quiet until 2200 hrs when a box was transmitted for the 200 block of Walnut street. First due units arrived and identified 131 Walnut street as the source of the smoke, and began stretching in. Companies found a small fire on the first floor, towards the rear of the building. Crews extinguished the fire, and were given a break when the rest of the night was calm.
Monday morning, companies were greeted with yet another blaze as a Box was transmitted for 333 McKnight Street. Arriving units were met with 2 garages, live downed power lines and fire rapidly traveling into the backs of 2 dwellings. Working around the power lines, crews began getting water on the fire. Several lines were stretched from the front, and down the alley from Elm street. Firefighter Scott Sayers was injured when a card table fell on his head, and Lt. Tom Rehr was injured when debris got into his eye.
A second alarm was requested at 1011 for additional manpower to attempt to cut the fire extension into more of the properties. The fire was placed under control at 1030 hrs. At 14:42 dispatchers growing tired of the same number, once again tapped box 79. A mail carrier noticed smoke coming from 200 North Front Street. Car 9 arrived and reported heavy smoke from a 2 1/2 story EOR. Companies stretched and found multiple pieces of furniture and other debris on fire on the first floor. Fire was also discovered in the basement. The fire was placed under control at 1454.
With A platoon members now finishing their last night shift, Engine 11 was sent to Johnson & Greenwich streets for a vehicle fire. During the fire, Box 79 was yet again struck for a fire in the 400 block of Johnson street located across the railroad tracks. Car 8, leaving the vehicle fire found another vehicle involved. Companies made quick work of the fire, and the remaining box units were turned around. An hour later Box 723 was sounded with communications reported multiple calls for 216 Pear street. Companies found a rear kitchen involved with extension, the fire was placed under control at 1916.
During a press conference in front of 333 McKnight Street on Tuesday November 20, it was announced 3 suspects were in custody related to the suspicious fires occurring over the weekend. According to the Fire Marshals office, the suspects were charged with setting fires in at least 2 of the vacant homes. The suspects are juveniles, with no names being released. The police and Fire Marshal received a tip after Monday's fire at 216 Pear Street. A neighbor had pointed out the juveniles to police who began a chase. The suspects got away, but an ID was made on at lease one of the individuals. Tuesday morning, one suspect surrendered himself to city police. On Wednesday, it was reported that 2 other youths were arrested in connection with the case. The Fire Marshals office estimated the damage to be more than $100,000 total for all the fires.
Thanks to Lt. Kent Born, Firefighter Paul Lis & Firefighter Terry Royce
Time-Line
11/16...328 Pear Street...1821 hrs...Box 79...B platoon
Engines 3, 1, 5, 11, Ladder 1, Tower, Rescue, M601, Cars 5 & 7
11/17...328 Pear Street...1713 hrs...Box 79...D/A Platoon
Engines 3, 1, 5, 11, Ladder 1, Tower, Rescue, M601, Cars 4 & 8
Second Alarm...1740 hrs...Box 79
Engines 13, 9, Ladder 3, M602, Car 1, FM10, Lt 22
11/17...100 Block West Buttonwood...1821 hrs...Vehicle Fire...A platoon
Engine 8 (reserve placed in service during 2nd alarm), Car 7
11/17...207 Schuylkill Avenue...2022 hrs...Box 79...A platoon
Engines 3, 8, 11, 1, Ladder 1, Tower, Rescue, Cars 4, 7, & 8, Lt22, Lt23
11/17...100 block Schiller Street...2128 hrs...Motorcycle Fire...A platoon
Engine 3, Car 8
11/18...131 Walnut Street...2205 hrs...Box 79...A platoon
Engines 3, 11, 1, 5, Ladder 1, Tower, Rescue, M602, Car 8
11/19...121 West Elm Street...0255...Box 78...A platoon
Engines 3, 11, 1, 5, Ladder 1, Tower, Rescue, M604, Car 8
(FIre Was Not Suspicious, Mattress on 3rd Floor)
11/19...333 McKnight Street...1000 hrs...Box 78...D platoon
Engines 1, 5, 9, 13, Tower, Ladder 3, M603, Cars 4 & 9
Second Alarm...1011hrs...Box 78
Engines 3, 11, Ladder 1, Car 1, Ambulance 606
11/19...200 North Front Street...1442 hrs...Box 79...D platoon
Engines 3, 1, 13, 5, Ladder 1, Tower, Ladder 3, Rescue, M602, Car 1, 4, 9, FM10 & Lt 22
 11/19...Johnson and Greenwich Streets...1748 hrs...Vehicle Fire...A platoon
Engine 11, Car 8 & FM 10
11/19...400 Block Johnson Street...1804 hrs...Box 79...A platoon
Engines 3, 1, 5, 9, Ladder 1, Tower, Rescue, M604, Car 8
11/19...216 Pear Street...1905 hrs...Box 723...A platoon
Engines 3, 1, 5, 11, Ladder 1, Tower, Rescue, M602, Car 8, FM 10 & Lt 22
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