As most people were preparing to sit down for Thanksgiving dinner or to watch a football game, Skippack Fire Company firefighters were busy battling a house fire within the township. Crews were dispatched at 17:57 for a possible chimney fire in the 800 block of Appaloosa Drive. The caller to the Montgomery County Communications Center reported smoke coming from around the fireplace. An additional call at 18:03 reported flames were now visible on the outside of the house from the upstairs window.

Battalion Chief 66 arrived on scene at 18:05 and established Command 86 reporting a working fire with flames through the roof and requested PECO to the scene. Chief 86 requested two additional tankers be added to the box while responding, arrived on scene a short time later and assumed 86 Command. Numerous special calls were made throughout the incident for standbys, as well as additional equipment and personal on scene. The State Police Fire Marshal was notified, the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Companies assisting on the fire included; Skippack Emergency Medical Services, Pennsylvania State Police, Flourtown Fire Company, Fairmount Engine Company of Norristown, Collegeville Fire Company, Lower Providence Township Fire Department, Norriton Fire Engine Company, North Penn Volunteer Fire Company, Perkiomen Township Fire Company, Towamencin Volunteer Fire Company, Trappe Fire Company, Worcester Volunteer Fire Department, Harleysville Fire Co and Trappe Fire Company Ambulance.

Skippack Fire units on the job in addition to the Chief included; the Deputy and Assistant Chief’s, Lieutenant, Engine, Squad, Tanker, Special Service and Utility 86.

All units were made available by 21:19 from the scene and standby crews returned a short time later.

Thank you for everyone’s help on this job!