Fire Heavily Damages 2-Story New Hope Borough Condominium

NEW HOPE, PA — A two-story condominium was heavily damaged by fire Saturday night in the Village II development.

Firefighters from three companies - New Hope Eagle, Midway Volunteer Fire Company and Lambertville Fire District No. 1 responded to the scene at 9:22 p.m. for a reported shed fire near a dwelling.

New Hope Borough Police Department officers arrived on scene and confirmed a working structure fire, which upgraded the alarm to a building fire adding Upper Makefield Volunteer Fire Company and Delaware Township Fire Company to the call.

(New Hope Eagle Fire Company)

(New Hope Eagle Fire Company)

(City of Lambertville Fire Company)

Upon the arrival of New Hope Engine 46, the front of the two-story condominium was heavily involved in fire that had also entered the second-floor windows. And a 20-pound propane cylinder was venting and burning near the front door.

The pump operator used a pre-piped deck gun to quickly knock down the rapidly spreading fire while handlines were advanced to the first and second floor of the fire building and into the left side of the building.

The fire was quickly brought under control, but an extensive amount of overhaul was needed. New Hope Quint 46 and City of Lambertville's Tower Ladder 17 were positioned to allow both aerial devices access to the roof of the fire building and exposures. A water supply was established from a hydrant at the corner using 300 feet of hose from Quint 46.

Due to the warm weather, two additional engine companies were requested. West Amwell Fire Company Engine 26 and Doylestown Fire Company No. 1's Engine 19 responded and assisted with overhaul operations.

Lingohocken Fire Company Rescue 35 responded and refilled breathing air cylinders that had been expended during the incident. PECO's emergency crew also responded and secured the utilities to the involved condos.

Lambertville-New Hope Ambulance and Rescue Squad and Central Bucks EMS staffed a rehab operation to rehydrate and monitor firefighters. One firefighter was transported to Doylestown Hospital for evaluation of a medical condition.

Units were released as the operations were completed. The scene was turned over to the Bucks County Fire Marshal's Office and New Hope Police for determination of the cause and origin of the fire.

Eagle firefighters returned to the station to clean and repack all of the hose and equipment until about 2:45 a.m.