May 8, 2019: Etna, PA
Members of the Aspinwall Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched on the first alarm to Etna Borough for a Commercial Structure fire in the 400 Block of Butler Street.
Engine 102 dropped 1000 foot of 5 inch hose to establish a water supply for themselves and other apparatus operating nearby. Aspinwall firefighters were also tasked to stretched a 2 1/2″ attack line into the large warehouse structure, being used as a storage facility, to assist Etna VFD with fire suppression until the structure was deemed unsafe and Command pulled out all interior crews and switched to a defensive mode. This fire went to 7-Alarms as Command worked to get enough man-power and aerial apparatus in position to battle this stubborn fire.
A dozen Aspinwall Firefighters operated at the scene for over 9 hours at the scene, and a crew of three staffed fire station #1 with Engine 2 to respond to any additional incidents in town. This crew responded to a car fire on Rt 28 in O’Hara Twp and later in the evening a motor vehicle accident in the Sharps Hill section of Shaler Twp.
One-100 foot section of 5 inch hose was damaged by debris at the scene which punctured the hose jacket creating a small leak in the line. This length hose had to be taken out of service.
This fire is currently under investigation by the Allegheny County Fire Marshall’s Office.
We are glad and thankful to report that Aspinwall firefighters suffered no injuries at this large fire.
