At 14:52 hours your Plymouth Fire Company No. 1 (Montco 43) volunteers and career staff were dispatched to the 1300 block of Powell Street in the Borough of Norristown for a reported building fire.

Norristown Fire Department units had originally been dispatched to the Nicolas Athene Karabots Medical building for a fire alarm activation. Upon their arrival reports of visible smoke on the 3rd floor from employees prompted Assistant Chief 27 to request the box be filled out for the building fire.

Ladder and Chief 43 responded with a crew of 4. The ladder arrived on the Powell Street side of the building and assumed first due truck company responsibilities. First in crews off of Quint and Engine 27 then reported moderate smoke on multiple floors and heavier smoke that was now visible on the lower lobby and basement level. Engine company crews then located a small fire at the bottom of the elevator shaft in the basement and quickly extinguished the same.

Ladder 43's crew was put to work securing utilities and power to the elevators as well as placing ventilation fans in service to evacuate smoke from multiple floors.

Command placed the fire under control shortly after and all units remained on scene assisting in the ventilation efforts. Ladder 43 was then released by command and were available shortly after 16:00 hours. There were no reported injuries to employees or first responders. Once again a tremendous effort and excellent team work by all of the companies on scene!