Last night at 2050 hours, the Cheswold Volunteer Fire Company was alerted to a barn fire on Dinah’s Corner Road. The Dover Fire Department, Hartly Fire Company, and Kent County EMS were automatically notified to assist. Chief Tucker Dempsey responded in the command vehicle and called for two additional tankers based on the report and the visible smoke from miles away. He arrived a few minutes later and reported a large barn fully involved in fire with several other barns and a home threatened. He also requested another two tankers.
Dover Ladder 1, Cheswold Engine 43-3, and Dover Engine 5 arrived at the same time and quickly deployed hose lines to knock down the fire and protect the exposed structures. Two of the other structures had minor fire damage but were saved thanks to the combined efforts of the crews that responded. Units from Leipsic, Marydel, Smyrna, Camden, and Magnolia responded on the additional calls for assistance. The Bowers Fire Company covered our station. The Cheswold Ladies Auxiliary responded to provide cold drinks and snacks during the prolonged operation. All Cheswold firefighters finally left the station around 0230 this morning after returning the apparatus to service.
Thanks also go out to the dispatchers at Kent County 911, the Delaware State Fire School for the drone shots and opening the drill grounds to fill tankers and Kent County 911 and DEMA for additional drones.
