Squirt 43 Assists Upper Merion Fire and EMS on the Hazardous Materials Fire
 
By Watch Desk
July 14, 2021
 

At 05:02 hours, your Plymouth Fire Company No. 1 (Montco 43) volunteers were dispatched with an engine to the 800 block of River Road at the Coopers Creek Chemical Plant in neighboring Upper Merion Township for a hazardous materials incident.

Upper Merion Township Fire & EMS units from station 56 were on location with heavy fire showing from the area of several large processing tanks of Petroleum based products. The Montgomery County Department of Public Safety's Hazardous Materials Team Station 81, multiple mutual aid companies as well as the County's foam task force were also requested into the scene to assist.

Squirt and Chief 43 made the response with a crew of 7. Upon their arrival the Squirt was assigned to hook into Engine 56's hydrant and boost pressure. The Squirt's crew was then assigned to back of the property to support with their manpower. The crew would man portable monitors to assist in cooling down the tanks.

The fire was eventually brought under control utilizing foam from the task force as well as Merck's Squirt 13. Station 43 personnel were released by command and available back in quarters just after 06:30 hours.

Station 56 and the Haz Mat Team would remain on location to ensure full extinguishment as well as monitoring the air quality and tanks before clearing. There were no reported injuries to plant workers or first responders.