At 01:58 Company 1 and Engine 3 were dispatched to 2323 E. Darby Road for a fire in the building. Police were quickly on scene to report a working fire and a child trapped in apartment #110. Engine 12 was ordered to the rear of the building for fire attack. Engine 31 established water supply. Ladder 1 went into service immediately rescuing elderly victims from the upper floors. Oakmont 5 (38-9) immediately ordered a 2nd alarm. This brought in Engine 2 (Llanerch), Ladder 3 (Brookline) and Rescue 4 (Bon-Air). Oakmont 5 also requested all 4 EMS units on scene for rescue. Engine 12 and Rescue 1's crew also immediately went into service with rescue and support functions. Ladder 3 was ordered to the front of the building. Engine 21 and Engine 22 and Rescue 4's crew started a primary search of the upper floors. As more rescues were made victims were taken to the Township Building and the Cheese Club for shelter. Many of the victims were elderly and Command ordered the 1st alarm of the County EMS box bringing 03-7 (Clifton Heights), 15-7 (Radnor), 16-7 (Yeadon), 41-7 (Newtown Square), 53-7 (Marple Twp. Ambulance Corps.). Engine 41 (Bon-Air) and MontCo Engine 25 (Merion Fire Co. of Ardmore) provided cover-up at Oakmont while the Companies were operating. MontCo Medic 313-1 and Medic 109 provided EMS cover-up for the Township during this incident.

During the primary search of the original fire apartment a victim was located and removed to Delaware County Hospital for treatment, however despite the efforts of Fire, EMS and Police crews the victim's injuries proved to be fatal. The Red Cross did arrive and with the assistance of the Haverford Twp. School District the victims were taken from the temporary shelter to the Brookline Fire House (Hall) to make arrangements for housing and food. The fire is still under investigation by the Haverford Twp. Fire Marshal, Haverford Twp Police, Delaware County Fire Marshal and the State Police Fire Marshal.

All those who operated on scene, you did an outstanding job. This was another strong showing of unity among the many departments that operated under such tragic conditions. Photos Courtesy of Brian Feeney.