News

At 1:48 a.m. on Thursday, January 17, the Millville, Frankford and Dagsboro Volunteer Fire Companies were dispatched along with the Sussex County Paramedics to a structure fire at the 30000 block of Irons Lane Road. Units began responding within two minutes of the dispatch of the early morning alarm. When Millville’s Rescue Captain Richie Walls arrived at the scene, heavy smoke and fire was coming from a 30 feet by 40 feet storage structure. Captain Walls requested Millville’s Engine 6 to initiate an attack on the structure with a 2½-inch compressed air foam line. Millville’s Engine 1 dropped a 5-inch line from the road to the scene for water supply. Deputy Chief Eddie Hammond was assigned accountability at Millville’s Command Unit, while Chief Doug Scott was assigned to be in charge of operations on the scene. As additional units and manpower from Millville, Frankford and Dagsboro Volunteer Fire Companies arrived on the scene, two additional 1¾-inch compressed air foam lines and two 1¾-inch lines were placed into service to aid in fire suppression and exposure protection. Millville’s Tanker Truck was able to provide an adequate water supply for the suppression of the fire. Frankford Volunteer Fire Company was assigned as the RIT (Rapid Intervention Team) team. Rescue Captain Richie Walls declared the fire under control at 3:32 a.m. Bethany Beach, Selbyville, and Millsboro Volunteer Fire Companies provided standby assistance during the alarm. An investigation by the Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office determined an electrical malfunction was the cause of the fire. Damage was estimated at $150,000 to the structure and contents, which included commercial lawn mowers, a tractor, tools, and a race car. “DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS PROUDLY SERVING OUR COMMUNITY”