Springfield Township, PA – Yesterday at approximately 5:40 PM, rescue and EMS personnel from the Springfield Volunteer Fire Department and West County Paramedics were dispatched to a motor vehicle accident near the intersection of Nye Road and Ridge Road. West County 111 responded promptly after the initial dispatch, followed by West County 112 to provide support.

64L3 was first on scene and reported one vehicle with moderate to heavy damage and a second vehicle with moderate damage. Engine 643 arrived shortly after as Chief 640 assumed command. EMS crews evaluated the patients while fire and rescue personnel secured the vehicles, contained fluid leaks, and began debris cleanup. Utility 646 provided traffic control on the west side of the incident at Steinberg Road, while an additional fire police unit closed traffic at Nye Road.

Eagle Towing arrived quickly and removed both vehicles from the scene. West County Paramedics cleared with no further EMS needs. Pennsylvania State Police were also on scene and investigating the accident.

Elk Creek Township, PA – This afternoon, at approximately 2:30 PM, firefighters from the Cranesville Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched to a reported structure fire at the intersection of Fillinger Road and State Road. Initial reports indicated a garage on fire with oil drums and a vehicle inside. A first responder reported a visible header from near the Pennsylvania State Police barracks in Girard, while enroute to the scene.

Engine 604 marked enroute within six minutes of dispatch, followed by Tanker 595, Engine 643, Engine 383, Engine 644, and Ladder 549. While responding, Engine 604 confirmed a working fire with a visible header. West County 111 arrived at Taylor’s Garage and reported heavy fire conditions involving the garage, a barn, and multiple vehicles.

Engine 604 arrived moments later, deployed a two-inch line, and initiated suppression efforts, with the next-due unit tasked to establish a water supply. Chief 380 assumed command as Cranesville crews conducted the initial attack. Additional manpower was requested to the fire scene, while Engine 602 set up a fill site at a farm on Babbit Road.

Crews operated on scene for nearly three hours conducting the initial knockdown, fire suppression, and extensive overhaul. A backhoe was brought in to assist with overhaul operations. Assisting departments included Springfield, A.F. Dobler Hose, Platea Volunteer Fire Company, Franklin Township Fire Department, Edinboro Volunteer Fire Department, Waterford Fire Department, Springboro Fire Department, and Fellows Club Fire Department.

Lake City, PA – This afternoon, just after 1:00 PM, firefighters from the Lake City Fire Company were dispatched to a reported structure fire in the vicinity of Lakeside Village Mobile Home Park along West Lake Road. Initial reports indicated a shed was on fire.

Lake City’s L2 and Unit 650 were first to arrive and found the remains of a shed already on the ground. Upon confirming there was no extension to nearby structures, L2 advised that only two engines were needed, and all other responding units could be placed back in service.

Engine 572 arrived on scene within six minutes of dispatch, with Engine 563 arriving shortly afterward. Crews deployed a handline from Engine 572 and used its onboard tank water for initial suppression. Once the bulk of the fire was knocked down, firefighters utilized trash hooks to pull apart debris, allowing for thorough overhaul and hotspot extinguishment. Engine 563 was released shortly after.

Due to the suspicious circumstances surrounding the fire, the Pennsylvania State Police were included in the initial dispatch. Three troopers arrived on scene during suppression efforts. The fire marshal was notified, and Engine 572 remained on scene to meet with investigators. An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.

Girard Township, PA – Yesterday at approximately 3:45 PM, Platea Volunteer Fire Department, Springfield Volunteer Fire Department, and West County Paramedics were dispatched to a reported motor vehicle accident with rollover near the 13-mile marker eastbound on Interstate 90. Initial reports indicated possible entrapment, and responding units were advised that air medical was placed on standby due to the nature of the crash. Additionally, units were advised that STAT MedEvac had a 17-minute ETA, if needed.

Responding units included West County 111 and 112, Engine 592, Utility 599, Rescue 643, Utility 646, and Brush 649. Upon arrival, Chief 580 assumed command and confirmed a two-vehicle accident with heavy damage. Upon assessments provided by WC 111 and 112, 580 placed STAT back in service. Fire police reduced eastbound traffic down to one lane around the accident scene.

According to a report released by the Pennsylvania State Police in Girard, the crash occurred when a westbound vehicle, traveling in the left lane, exited the roadway, crossed the center median, and began to roll - becoming airborne in the process. While airborne, the vehicle collided with a second vehicle traveling eastbound.

Platea and Springfield units remained on scene for an extended period to provide traffic control. The Erie County Coroner was requested and responded to the scene. Platea and Springfield crews assisted the coroner upon arrival, before clearing and transferring command to fire police while West County Towing completed vehicle recovery operations.

Girard Township, PA – Yesterday at approximately 2:40 PM, Lake City Fire Company was dispatched for a reported outside fire in the area of Fairplain Road and Middle Road. While units were responding, dispatch advised that the fire involved a smoldering railroad tie located roughly one-third of a mile west of Fairplain Road, along the north main line of the CSX railroad tracks.

Chief 560 arrived on scene and confirmed an active fire. He instructed Brush 5616 to access the incident from the south side of the tracks using the access road. Chief 560 then proceeded on foot toward the fire, carrying an Enforcer Air 3 - a portable, 3-gallon firefighting system that utilizes high-energy compressed foam technology with a refillable air tank, eliminating the need for standalone charged air cylinders.

Both Chief 560 and Brush 5616 arrived at the smoldering railroad tie around the same time. Using the Enforcer Air 3, crews quickly extinguished the fire with a mixture of water and foam. After confirming the fire was fully extinguished, Brush 5616 continued west along the access road toward Nursery Road to ensure there were no additional smoldering areas. Finding no further activity, all units returned in service.

The fire is believed to have been the result of a rail grinder that had been operating in the area a few days prior. Erie County 911 originally received the call from CSX, noting fire-related activity observed in the area.