At approximately 22:12 hours units were dispatched to a residence in Patton Township
for a working structure fire. The fire was reported to be climbing the back wall of the
home and entering the second floor and attic. Engine 510 and Truck 516 responded
almost immediately resulting in Engine 510 crossing Valley Vista as Engine 514
entered N Atherton Street. Chief 504 (Kauffman) arrived on scene prior to apparatus
and confirmed a working fire, Chief 500 (Yocum) arrived shortly thereafter quickly
followed by the engines and truck. Quick work by the homeowner and his garden hose
kept the fire in check and 504 held to the units on the street. Crews from 510 and 516
entered the structure to check extension and complete extinguishment. Engine 514
made connections to a nearby cistern and provided a crew of two to assist the Truck.
Tanker 1515 (Port Matilda) and Rescue 518 staged; Quint 527 and Alpha Tankers
were returned to quarters. Fire Police unit 537 was held on scene to assist with the fire
investigation. All other units were returned to service at approximately 23:00 hours.

Centre Region FM Bittner investigated the fire and determined it to be accidental
in nature. Contributing to this fire was the extremely dry landscape mulch in close
proximity to the home’s vinyl siding. Homeowners are reminded to use noncombustible
materials such as decorative stone in areas where landscape materials will be in
contact with the structure.