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.