Story from www.hvfd7.com

At 1137 hours, Engine 7, Engine 9, Engine 5, Tanker 1, Tanker 9, Tanker 1002, Truck 7, Truck 3, Rescue Squad 1, EMS Station 79, and EMS Station 29 were dispatched to 26600 North Sandgates Road for the House Fire. Engine 72, Truck 7, Tanker 74, and Chief 7A responded shortly after dispatch with 15 Volunteers.

Chief 7A was first to arrive finding a 2 story single family home with fire showing from side A and C, establishing the Command. Engine 72 was next to arrive with the crew stretching an attack line to side C of the structure. The crew knocked fire down on the deck and rear of the house, then re-positioned the line and made entry through side A. Engine 23 was next to arrive(E-23 was added after the call was dispatched due to being on another call) picking up Engine 72 Supply line and establishing the water supply for the incident. The Crews of Engine 72 and Engine 23 advanced 2 attack lines through side A knocking the bulk of the fire on the 1st floor. Engine 72 Officer was assigned the Division 1 Supervisor with Engine 72, Engine 23, and Truck 7 once they arrived. Truck 7 arrived and went to work laddering the house, opening up for the Engine on the 1st floor and conducting a primary search of the structure. Tanker 74 arrived and the crew was assigned to the 2nd floor with the Tanker Officer becoming the Division 2 Supervisor. Tanker 14 arrived and established RIT on side A and Rescue Squad 1 went to work opening up for Division 2. Water Supply 5 established a fill site at Fowler Industrial Park for the fire ground.

The majority of the fire was knocked on the 1st and 2nd floors within 20 minutes of arrival and Command held all unit for an extensive overhaul. Crews continued to open up finding fire in the attic of the 1st floor and the walls of the 2nd. All units rotated through the interior of the structure assisting with opening up on the 1st and 2nd floors. Once all extension was deemed out, Command scaled the assignment back to Units from Station 7, Engine 23, Tanker 14, and Truck 3 for overhaul.

1 Dog and 3 Turtles were removed from the structure however unfortunately 5 Dogs, 1 Cat, and several Guinea Pigs perished in the fire. The Dog was transported to the Vet Clinic and the Animal Warden took control of the deceased pets.

The Units from Station 7 remained on the scene completing the Overhaul before returning to service. Command was terminated and the units from Station 7 returned to quarters at 1433 hours. The State Fire Marshal investigated the fire and deemed it accidental in cause. The homeowners where not at home at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported.