Firefighters Prevent Extension to Neighboring Homes During Cranesville House Fire

Cranesville, PA – This afternoon at approximately 4:31 PM, firefighters from Cranesville Volunteer Fire Department and West County Paramedics were dispatched to a reported residential structure fire in the vicinity of 10270 Crane Street. Station 60 acknowledged the call immediately, and West County Paramedics 110 responded shortly afterward. Moments after the initial dispatch, Station 60 advised Erie County 911 that they had a visible header from their station, located approximately one-half mile from the reported address. Dispatch also advised responding units that multiple callers were reporting the residence to be on fire.

Chief 600 arrived on scene at 4:35 PM and confirmed a working structure fire involving both the first and second floors of the residence. Following his initial size-up, Chief 600 requested an additional engine from Edinboro Fire Department and advised that there were exposure concerns involving neighboring homes on both the east and west sides of the burning structure.

Approximately six minutes after the initial dispatch, Cranesville’s Engine 604 arrived on scene. Chief 600 instructed the crew to stop short of the residence and deploy an initial attack line to the front of the structure to begin suppression efforts. As crews initiated the attack, Platea’s Tanker 595 responded to establish the initial water supply. Chief 600 directed Tanker 595 to back into Engine 604, supply the engine with water, and deploy its portable dump tank to support sustained firefighting operations. Springboro’s tanker arrived shortly afterward and supplemented the water supply as additional tankers made their way to the scene. As the incident quickly expanded into a full tanker shuttle operation, additional apparatus were requested from Springfield, while Fairview and McKean were dispatched to provide additional tankers and engines.

During the initial stages of the incident, Chief 601 confirmed that all occupants had safely evacuated the residence. Chief 601 also requested Penelec to respond for live electrical wires that had come down at the scene due to the fire.

Once a reliable water supply had been established, firefighters advanced interior attack lines into the first floor and began offensive suppression efforts. To support the operation, Edinboro Engine 383 established a drafting operation from a pond along Thrasher Road, while Engine 644 secured a secondary water supply from a hydrant near Northwestern Elementary School.

At approximately 4:56 PM, Chief 601 ordered an emergency evacuation of all firefighters operating inside the structure after conditions on scene began to deteriorate. Around the same time, firefighters removed four dogs from a neighboring residence as a precaution due to the proximity of the fire. Crews also extinguished a small spot fire that had developed along a fence near the exposure on the east side of the incident.

With temperatures climbing into the 90s and oppressive humidity affecting crews, West County Paramedics, operating as EMS Command, requested additional rehabilitation resources and another ambulance to support firefighter rehab operations. Erie County 911 subsequently dispatched rehabilitation trailers from Kuhl Hose Company and Lake City Fire Company, along with McKean’s Ambulance 407 to assist.

Edinboro’s Ladder 389 later arrived from the east via Crane Road and positioned for aerial master stream operations. Firefighters deployed a 3-inch large-diameter supply line from Engine 604 to the ladder truck, allowing crews to direct elevated streams onto the heavily involved portions of the structure.

Firefighters continued battling the blaze from multiple positions, utilizing handlines, ground ladders, and aerial master streams to extinguish the remaining fire and cool the structure. After visible fire had been knocked down, crews transitioned into extensive overhaul operations, removing sections of exterior siding and wall assemblies to expose and extinguish hidden fire extending within the walls. Small teams then re-entered the structure to complete overhaul and ensure all remaining hot spots had been extinguished.

Before clearing the scene, firefighters applied firefighting foam throughout portions of the remaining structure to help suppress any lingering smoldering material and reduce the potential for rekindle. The Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal was requested to investigate the fire, while the American Red Cross was notified to assist the displaced occupants. Firefighters were on scene for nearly five hours before clearing the incident.

Throughout the lengthy operation, the surrounding community came together to support the first responders working in the extreme heat. Numerous residents and local businesses donated food, drinks, ice, and other refreshments to crews operating on scene. Firefighters and EMS personnel expressed their appreciation for the overwhelming support shown by the community during the incident.

In addition to Cranesville Volunteer Fire Department and West County Paramedics, mutual aid was provided by the Edinboro, Girard, Platea, Franklin Township, Springfield, Fairview, McKean, and Springboro (Crawford County) fire departments. Throughout West County, multiple transfer assignments also ensued to ensure coverage of in case an additional emergency occurred.