While members where at Station 71 for the monthly meeting, pagers activated at approximately 2054 hrs. for Rescue 71 to cover Station 46 (New Hope). A crew of five was picked, with FF. Dollings operating, BC81 DeSantis riding seat and Lt. Salt, FF. Kennett and FF. Durant in the back. Moments later, Rescue 71 was en route to Station 46. Not even halfway down Taylorsville Rd., command requested that Rescue 71 come to the scene on Tactical Box 46-15 for the dwelling fire at 320 W. Riverwoods Dr. The crew started gearing up, and when pulling in, command requested that R71 lay-in and proceed to the front of the structure behind Tower 46. Once on scene, the remaining crew went to manpower and quickly went to work opening the garage door. Firefighters used a chainsaw to cut into the door, and then unlock it and push it up, at this time two attack lines started into the garage area. Then at 2125 hrs., Engine 71 and Engine 41 (Point Pleasant) where added to the box. Crews worked for hours battling this fire, also with heavy rain, thunder and lightning make passes over us. Do the quick spread of the fire, all operations where kept to an exterior attack, with multiple hand lines in service, along with Tower 46's main and a deck gun from Engine 46. Crews started packing up, and at midnight, Engine 71 and Rescue 71 cleared the scene.

It is stated that the fire started in the 2 1/2 story residential structure from being struck by lightning, and before firefighters where even on scene, the fire quickly intensified, burning out the complete rear of the structure as well as causing most of the first floor to collapse into the basement. Luckily with the storm still overhead, and the extreme unstableness of the structure, no one was injured on the fire ground.

Apparatus On Scene:

Eagle Fire Company

Chief 46, Engine 46, Engine 64, Tower 46, Utility 46, Fire-Police 46

Upper Makefield Fire Company

Rescue 71, Engine 71

Midway Fire Company

Chief 5, Engine 5, Fire-Police 5

Point Pleasant Fire Company

Engine 41

Trevose Fire Company

Canteen 4

City of Lambertville Fire Department (Hunterdon Co., NJ)

Deputy 17, Engine 17-3, Cascade 17

Stockton Fire Company (Hunterdon County, NJ)

Engine 23-61

Upper Makefield Tanker 71 provided station coverage at New Hope Station 46.

Central Bucks Ambulance & Rescue Squad along with local Police, assisted on scene