FIRE ON WEST SIDE

At around 05:30, WCFD was dispatched to the report of a fire in a dwelling on the 300 block of West Chestnut in the west side. Upon arrival, Cpl. Tom Gotthold and Ofc. Christopher Daly reported fire on the second floor to the rear of a 2 1/2 story end-of-the-row apartment building at 343-345 West Chestnut (next to the Beer Mill) and began evacuating residents. The report triggered a full alarm response from the three WCFD fire companies. The fire appeared to be contained to the original fire building with no extension to the adjacent row-home. One resident was transported by GFAC and Medic 91 to Chester County Hospital with a minor burn injury. It also appeared as though one firefighter was also being treated at the scene with a minor non-burn injury; from what I saw, it appeared to be a minor laceration which did not require transport to the hospital. The fire was placed under control shortly before 06:00. Operating on scene were First West Chester, Goodwill, Fame, West Bradford, and Longwood fire companies, GFAC, and Medic 91. Chester County and State Police fire marshals are investigating the incident. As I was leaving the scene, Det. Bob Kuehn was arriving to assist in the investigation, though preliminary reports and observations do not lead me to believe the cause of the fire was suspicious (the fire marshals are dispatched in all instances where there is a reported injury to either a civilian or firefighter on the fireground). The American Red Cross is making accomodations for the displaced residents; as many as 8 apartments suffered varying degrees of water/smoke/fire damage.