Two-Alarm Blaze at Chesterbrook Townhouse Displaces One

About 60 firefighters responded to a two-alarm fire just before noon on Saturday in the Chesterbrook townhouse developments in Wayne.

The main fire, located at 66 Cabot Drive in the Newport section of the Chesterbrook developmeants, had been located in the third story of the townhouse, according to Assistant Fire Chief Eamon Brazunas.

According to Brazunas, the Berwyn Fire Co., Berwyn EMS, and the Malvern Fire Co. were the first to respond to the fire and were dispatched at 11:26 a.m. The fire was under control by 12:39 p.m.

The main fire had occured on the third floor near the bedroom, collapsing the ceiling underneath, said Brazunas, which soon spread to the second floor as well as within the free-standing chimney to the home.

"The fire dropped to the second floor. The area of the ceiling bowed and a firefighter's leg fell through," said Brazunas. The firefighter recovered and was not injured, assured Brazunas.

In addition to 66 Cabot Drive–which suffered most of the roof damage and rear damage to the home from the fire–65 and 67 Cabot Drive also sustained partial roof damage as well as minor damage to the back of the homes. Portions of the roof that had sustained damage from the fire were sawed off by firefighters.

"The firefighters were pulling off the roof that's a little charred," explained Brazunas, referring to the firefighters on the roof working with a chain saw. "We don't want another fire to ignite because of that."

As a result, the American Red Cross also responded to the scene and worked with the homeowner of 66 Cabot Drive for temporary lodging. The resident's cat had also escaped during the fire. First responders have canvassed the nearby area lookin for the cat described as brown with a white under belly.

The entire row of townhouses on Cabot Drive were evacuated for cautionary measures. According to Brazunas, a neighbor who went around to the other homes to help with the evacuation had inhaled smoke but after a smoke evaluation test, the man appeared to be fine. No other injuries were reported. Residents were allowed back in their homes at approximately 12:45 p.m.

"It could've been worse," stated Brazunas. "These townhouses are mixed-occupany townhouses and because it happened in the middle of the row, it makes it a little more difficult."

Brazunas had categorized the two-alarm fire as accidental at this time. The Chester County Fire Marshal and Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal also responded to the scene and are currently investigating the incident.

The other responding fire companies included Paoli, Malvern, East Whiteland, Radnor, as well as Tredyffrin Police, and ambulance companies from Malvern, Lafayette and Paoli. A portion of Chesterbrook Boulevard by the Chesterbrook Village Shopping Center was closed past 3:15 p.m.