Engine 43 First Due on the Blue Route for the Septa Bus Fire
 
By Watch Desk
April 12, 2021
 

At 14:05 hours your Plymouth Fire Company No. 1 (Montco 43) volunteers and career staff were dispatched to the area of mile marker 18.3 Northbound of I-476 for the report of a vehicle fire. Multiple 911 callers reported to Montgomery County Emergency Dispatch of a Septs Bus pulled onto the shoulder of the highway with its brakes on fire.

Engine and Chief 43 with a crew of 4 responded minutes after the dispatch. Upon entering the highway the correct location of the incident would be found at mile marker 18.8 Northbound. Chief 43 arrived first and reported a Septa Bus with fire showing from the rear passenger side wheel well. Engine 43 then arrived and immediately went in service with their front bumper 1 3/4" hoseline to start knocking down the fire.

Squirt 43 and George Clay Fire Company - Station 39's Squad 39 arrived minutes later and their crews worked for several minutes utilizing portable hydraulic tools and hand tools to open up portions of the bus' wheel well from the exterior and interior of the bus to extinguish the stubborn fire.

Chief 43 would place the incident under control shortly thereafter and all crews picked up and were clear of the highway at 15:19 hours. There were no reported injuries to Septa employees or first responders and the bus was not occupied by any passengers. A special thanks to our mutual aid along with the Pennsylvania State Police and the Septa Transit Police for their timely response and assistance!