For the second time in less than 24 hours West Mead #1 crews were dispatched to the scene of a working structure fire. Shortly before 7:00 p.m. Sunday evening West Mead #1 along with West Mead #2, Vernon Central, and Saegertown Fire Department were dispatched to the area of Mead Ave and Bessemer Street in the City of Meadville for a commercial structure fire. 28-11 and 28-12 responded within minutes with a total of 18 members. While responding 28-12 was instructed to lay a 4 inch supply line on the way into the scene. The engine connected to a hydrant at the corner of Arch and Water and proceeded to lay the line across route 6/19. 28-12 laid the line without incident and requested 11 to finish the 1500’ lay. Once on scene West Mead #1 crews assisted with placing several portable ground monitors into operation. 28-11 and its crew were assigned to drive into the fire scene and set up the engine mounted deck gun. 28-12 returned to the hydrant and hooked in to provide additional pressure to the supply line. Once set up, 28-11 ran the truck mounted deck gun for an extended period applying nearly 1000 gallons per minute onto the structure. Crews worked on the scene late into the evening, eventually returning to quarters around midnight.

The fire has been ruled arson and currently a suspect is in custody.

Cochranton Engine 4-21 provided fire coverage for West Mead #1 while both of our engines were in operation. Thank you, Cochranton.