Girard, PA – Last night at shortly after 2 AM, first responders from A.F. Dobler Hose Company, Lake City Fire Company, and West County Paramedics were dispatched to a reported vehicle-into-building incident near 210 Rice Avenue in Girard Borough.

West County Paramedics arrived on scene within five minutes of the initial dispatch and found a single vehicle that had collided with the structure. The driver had already exited the vehicle prior to their arrival.

Rescue 577 was the first fire department apparatus to arrive on scene, with Rescue 544 and Engine 563 arriving shortly thereafter. Upon arrival, fire crews immediately worked to secure the vehicle, ensuring there was no further threat to the building’s integrity or to responders operating at the scene. Once the area was stabilized, personnel began a structural assessment of the building. Cracks were observed on both the first and second floors, raising significant concerns about the stability and safety of the structure.

After evaluating the damage, Chief 540 determined that the building was unsafe for continued occupancy and deemed it unlivable for the remainder of the night. He instructed Girard’s L2 to assist with evacuating the remaining occupants.

Evacuated residents were advised to meet at Girard’s Fire Station to await further assistance. The American Red Cross was contacted and initiated support services for the displaced residents. In total, three apartments within the building were evacuated, resulting in the evacuation of six individuals along with four cats and one dog.

The driver of the vehicle declined medical treatment at the scene and was detained by the Girard Borough Police Department for further investigation. No injuries were sustained by the tenants of the building. A vehicle recovery technician from Eagle Towing recovered the vehicle from structure.

West Springfield, PA – At approximately 10:00 AM this morning, first responders from the Springfield Volunteer Fire Department, along with West County Paramedics, were dispatched to a reported motor vehicle accident on I-90 westbound between the 1 and 3 mile-markers near Huntley Road. Erie County Department of Public Safety advised Chief 640 that multiple 911 calls reported a minivan rollover off the roadway. At the time of dispatch, it was unknown whether there was entrapment. STAT MedEvac was placed on standby as a precaution.

West County 110 responded to the scene and met up with their medic, who was returning from the hospital aboard Cranesville’s Ambulance 607. Upon arrival, 607 confirmed a single vehicle on its side with no entrapment. One occupant had self-extricated. Engine 644 and Utility 646 responded shortly after. The 607 crew assessed the patient and determined that STAT MedEvac could be canceled. All units cleared the scene shortly thereafter, with no further need for rescue or EMS services.

Pennsylvania State Police remained on scene to investigate and oversee vehicle recovery.

Girard Township, PA – On Thursday afternoon, around 3:30 PM, A.F. Dobler Hose Company and other West County fire departments were dispatched to a reported garage fire near 9080 Ridge Road. The initial call reported an outside fire, which had spread to the garage by the time units were en route.

Upon arrival, crews were met with heavy fire conditions originating from the front of the garage. Engine 553 took the driveway and quickly deployed handlines to begin fire suppression. Shortly after, Engine 534 arrived and established a water supply to Engine 553. Engine 563 took position at the rear of the structure upon arrival and also deployed handlines to attack the fire from the backside. Engine 544 later arrived and supplemented water operations by supplying Engine 553 from Route 20.

Once Platea Fire Department arrived with their water shuttle, a porta-pond was deployed to support water supply efforts on the front side of the incident. During the response, crews identified fire extension to a nearby shed, which was quickly extinguished without further spread.

At the rear, Engine 563 was initially supplied by Fairview’s tender until a water supply could be secured via a nearby hydrant.

Interior operations began early in the incident; however, firefighters were ordered to evacuate the structure due to signs of an impending roof collapse. Despite this, crews successfully knocked down the bulk of the fire. Once the fire was brought under control, crews transitioned into overhaul mode to ensure full extinguishment and check for any remaining hotspots.

Assisting Girard on scene included Lake City Fire Company, Fairview Fire and Rescue, Platea Volunteer Fire Company, and West County Paramedics. Pennsylvania State Police were also on scene at the fire grounds.

Conneaut Township, PA – This evening at around 9 PM, firefighters from Cranesville Fire Department were dispatched to a reported outside fire in the vicinity of 9300 Porkey Road. Chief 601 and brush truck 609 went en route to the scene shortly after dispatch. While en route, crews were advised that an outside fire was endangering non-residential structures.

Upon arrival, Chief reported an active brush fire covering approximately two acres, with flames steadily advancing towards a nearby wood line. As Brush Truck 609 approached the scene, Chief 601 instructed its crew to assess a nearby structure (to the east) for possible fire exposure. Minutes later, Engine 602 arrived and positioned itself along Porkey Road. Under 601’s command, firefighters quickly deployed a bumper line and established a defensive perimeter, focusing on preventing the flames from pushing further north into the wooded area.

Once the fire was contained, crews transitioned into overhaul operations, checking for remaining hotspots that could reignite. Firefighters walked through and around the burned area dousing smoldering embers and ensuring the fire was fully extinguished.

Crews caution that although outdoor conditions are improving, this does not necessarily mean it is safe to burn. Despite the ground appearing wet and muddy, the vegetation above remains highly combustible due to a cold, dry winter.

Girard Township, PA – This afternoon at approximately 2:00 PM, Platea Volunteer Fire Company was dispatched to a reported structure fire near 6900 Lexington Road in Girard Township. While crews were en route, the Erie County Department of Public Safety relayed that an individual inside the residence had reported the fire before the call line remained open, with smoke detectors audibly activating in the background.

Medic 1 was first to arrive on scene and confirmed a working fire. The crew assisted the resident in safely evacuating the structure. Shortly after, Girard’s Engine 553 arrived and reported a single-story wood-frame residence with active fire in the attic. Girard’s Chief 541 initially established command until Chief 580 arrived and assumed incident command.

Engine 549 staged at the roadway while its crew conducted a primary search of the residence. Engine 644 arrived and laid a supply line from the roadway to Engine 553. Meanwhile, crews from Cranesville and Engine 602 set up water supply operations at the dry hydrant near the Pieper Road golf course.

At the fire scene, crews ventilated the structure by cutting an opening in the roof, while interior firefighters conducted hydraulic ventilation to help remove heat and smoke. The fire was successfully knocked down, and at approximately 2:39 PM—30 minutes after crews arrived—Chief 580 declared the fire under control. Following extinguishment, firefighters used positive pressure ventilation to clear the structure and performed overhaul operations.

Platea Fire and Rescue received mutual aid from multiple West County departments, including Edinboro, Girard, Fairview, Springfield, Cranesville, and Franklin Township. West County Paramedics were also dispatched and remained on scene to provide support. No injuries were reported. The Red Cross was notified for the resident of the structure. No further information is currently available.