At 12:46 PM West Mead #1 was dispatched to assist Vernon Township and Vernon Central with a manually pulled fire alarm at Ainsworth Pet Nutrition. On scene Vernon Central personnel reported a small amount of dog food on fire in the facility. Engine 28-12 responded and laid 4″ supply lines from a hydrant on Mill Street to Vernon Central’s quint 23-9. 28-12’s crew was sent up the quint’s ladder to back up the hoseline crew working from scaffolding on a metal bin, where heat from cutting torches had caused the bin’s contents to smolder. The crews worked together to fit a cellar nozzle on a 1 3/4″ handline and lower it into the bin to cool the contents. Approximately 200 gallons cooled the bin sufficiently for fire personnel to break down equipment and clear the scene.

Shortly after 28-12 returned to station, Meadville Central asked for an engine to assist with a smoke investigation on Madison Avenue. Engine 28-12 again responded but was cancelled en route.

All 28 units returned to service by 3:15 PM.

The Meadville Tribune posted a report of the incident at Ainsworth.