September 29th , 2007 - Lancaster Twp, Butler County, PA -- At 2:21 on Sept 29 Harmony Station 23 and Harmony EMS Station 62 units were alerted for a possible brush/grass fire in the 300 block of Perry Highway Jackson Twp. PD was in the area and notified Butler Control that this was actually going to be a fully involved house fire. Chief 23 arrived and confirmed the address to be 339 Perry Highway and then requested mutual aid from Zelienople Station 22 and Evans City Station 20. Engine 23-2 was first arriving unit and found a house well off with live power lines down in the driveway blocking access to the front of the home. Multiple handlines were placed into service to setup for a defensive operation. Evans City crews hit a hydrant in the 200 block block Perry Highway and laid approximately 2500 feet of 5 inch to supply Engine 22-2 and Engine 23-2, this shutdown Rt.19 for a few hours. Once the water supply was established and the main body of fire was knocked down crews began to search for possible victims due to there be a car in the driveway and no one around at the time of the fire.

As all of this was going on Butler Control notified Chief 23 that they were receiving calls reporting another possible structure fire on Textor Hill Rd. Due to all the units being occupied at the house fire, Cranberry Station 21 and Conquenessing Station 12 was requested to cover the call. Chief 21 arrived and found an unattened burn that was beginning to be out of control and had units handle the situation. As crews were overhauling the structure and hitting hotspots 2 victims were found inside the home. The fire marshall was notified along with the coroner. 3 dogs also perished in the blaze. Crews were on the scene for an extended period of time while the investigation was taking place. Once Cranberry was done handling the call on Textor Hill Rd. Chief 23 requested Engine 21-3 and Engine 21-2 to standby at Station 22 and cover Harmony and Zelienople's first due. Both Zelienople and Evans City crews were released around 8am so they could begin the process of picking up around 2500 feet of supply line. Engine 21-2 was gracious enough to come up and
relieve and help crews re-pack the supply line. Harmony Station 23 went back in service at 10:50am.

On behalf of the Harmony Vol. Fire Company our condolences go out to the friends and family of the victims. We would also like to thank Zelienople and Evans City for the assist. Also a big thanks to Cranberry and Conoquenessing for covering the 2nd call and covering our area. Great job and teamwork by all at the scene.

Story & Photos by Ryan Mann & Brian Greenwalt
Submitted by Spencer Mathew