West County On Scene

March 15, 2026electrical emergency

Wires Down Closes East Main Street in Girard

Girard, PA – At approximately 7:57 PM, personnel from A.F. Dobler Hose were dispatched to reports of wires down in the area of East Main Street near the Champagn Center. Brush 548 went enroute, and responding units were advised of an additional caller from Taco Bell reporting that a utility pole had snapped with wires down. Brush 548 arrived on scene approximately one minute later and confirmed the dispatch.Upon arrival, crews found large strands of communication wires lying in the roadway, with a utility pole snapped at the base and being supported by the power lines above. While crews were on scene, a secondary pole snapped. Due to the roadway being impassable and the hazardous conditions present, personnel from Girard shut down East Main Street at Sunset Drive and Trinity Drive. Fire police established a detour, directing traffic down Sunset Drive and around to Trinity Drive.Units 546 and 548 assisted with traffic control operations until Brush 548 was released to respond to additional calls. Fire police units and Engine 546 remained on scene until around 2 AM. Girard Borough Police assisted with traffic control as well.

Published 4 days ago35,101

March 15, 2026vegetation fire

Wind-Driven Bluff Brush Fire Contained by Multiple Departments

Girard Township, PA – Last night at just before 8:30 PM, firefighters from the Lake City Fire Company were dispatched to a reported brush fire along the bluff overlooking Lake Erie behind a residence. The response came after a caller reported seeing a “glow” over the bluff. Lake City personnel arrived on scene and reported a large, wind-driven fire burning over the bluff and spreading due to strong wind conditions. Chief 560 requested additional manpower along with two additional brush units to assist with the incident.Lake City’s Brush 5616 responded along with Engine 572 and Utility 566, while Girard’s brush unit 548 also responded to the scene. Upon arrival, crews quickly went to work stopping the forward spread of the fire in harsh, windy conditions that were causing fire growth. Firefighters utilized hand tools, hose lines, water from brush units, and Indian tanks to canvas the area and knock down active fire.Chief 560 made access down a trail over the bluff and reported multiple spot fires. Additional crews worked to locate and extinguish spot fires and remaining hotspots to prevent rekindle. Platea’s brush unit was placed on standby prior to arrival as Lake City units began receiving additional calls for trees down in the area. Platea personnel assisted with these incidents and stood by the station while crews operated at the brush fire.Crews were able to bring the fire under control and clear the scene approximately one and a half hours after arriving on scene.

Published 5 days ago16,759

March 15, 2026vegetation fire

Brush Fire Contained After Downed Power Line Sparks Woods Fire

Springfield Township, PA – This evening at around 6:30 PM, firefighters from the Springfield Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched to a reported brush fire in the vicinity of 13910 Ridge Road, behind a residence. Lieutenant 64L2 arrived on scene and reported an approximately quarter-acre fire burning in a wooded area, believed to have been caused by a downed power line. Brush 649, Utility 646, and additional personnel responded with Engine 644 to the incident.Upon arrival, crews confirmed that multiple wires had snapped, including a fiber optic communication line utilized by Penelec. Firefighters deployed hand tools to pull apart areas of active fire and establish a fire line around the perimeter to stop the fire’s forward progression. Crews also utilized Indian tanks from Brush 649 to extinguish remaining hotspots. An emergency call representative from Penelec arrived on scene promptly to assess the damage and coordinate with additional crews for repairs and power restoration.

Published 5 days ago16,758

March 14, 2026structure fire

Early Morning Electrical Issue Investigated on Pin Oak Drive

Girard Township, PA – On Saturday morning at just before 7 AM, firefighters from A.F. Dobler Hose were dispatched to a reported structure fire in the 4300 block of Pin Oak Drive. While crews were enroute, Erie County Public Safety advised that the caller was reporting smoke inside the residence and believed the issue may be electrical in nature.Engine 553 arrived on scene and reported a two-story residential structure with nothing visible from the exterior, with Chief 551 establishing command. Engine 563 arrived shortly after and was directed to send their crew to the structure. Interior crews from Engine 553 made entry and reported a slight haze along with a noticeable electrical odor. Command subsequently placed additional incoming units in service and held the assignment with Girard and Lake City units.While investigating the source of the smoke, crews located a melted and charred outlet power splitter. Firefighters isolated the affected outlet at the breaker panel to terminate power and prevent further hazards. Personnel remained on scene to conduct additional checks using thermal imaging cameras to confirm no fire extension had occurred.Crews cleared the scene approximately 30 minutes after arrival. No injuries were reported. Mutual aid on the initial dispatch included Lake City, Fairview Lake Shore, Platea, and West County Paramedics.

Published 6 days ago7,225

March 12, 2026structure fire

Four-Wheeler Fire Extends to Deck, Prompts Structure Fire Response on Cross Station Road

Girard Township, PA – This evening at around 7:20 PM, firefighters from A.F. Dobler Hose were dispatched to a reported four-wheeler fire in the vicinity of 11390 Cross Station Road, with initial reports advising the ATV was on fire and close to a structure. Engine 553 went enroute within two minutes of dispatch. Chief 540 initially held the response to one engine; however, while enroute, visible smoke could be seen from Route 20, prompting a request for the balance of the first alarm assignment. This brought mutual aid from Lake City Fire Company, Platea Volunteer Fire Department, West County Paramedics, and an additional engine from Girard. The incident was subsequently upgraded to a structure fire response. Approximately seven minutes after the initial dispatch, Engine 553 arrived on scene and reported a well-involved four-wheeler with fire extension into a deck and possible involvement of a nearby mobile home. Crews quickly stretched a handline, placed it into service, and began applying water. Rescue 544 and Engine 572 responded shortly after to standby with additional water and manpower if needed. Moments later, Chief 540 advised the bulk of the fire had been knocked down. Firefighters then went interior to check for extension into the mobile home while additional units, including Girard’s 547, continued into the scene.Chief 540 later advised there was minor extension and crews would be transitioning into overhaul operations. At the scene, firefighters utilized pipe poles and trash poles to pull siding and soffit while using a thermal imaging camera (TIC) to check for hotspots and any remaining extension. Units that were not already enroute were returned to service, while those on scene completed overhaul and ensured the fire was fully extinguished. All units were placed back in service just before 8 PM. No injuries were reported and crews are investigating the incident.

Published 8 days ago14,170

Recent Activity

Latest Publication

Vehicle Rollover Reported on I-90 Eastbound Near 9 Mile Marker

Recent Publications

Wires Down Closes East Main Street in Girard

Wind-Driven Bluff Brush Fire Contained by Multiple Departments

Brush Fire Contained After Downed Power Line Sparks Woods Fire

Early Morning Electrical Issue Investigated on Pin Oak Drive

Four-Wheeler Fire Extends to Deck, Prompts Structure Fire Response on Cross Station Road

Trending This Week