Addressing criticisms and allegations that the response to Saturday’s fire that killed four children was delayed, Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Derrick Sawyer revealed the official response timeline during a press conference Monday night.
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The fire began at a home on 6516 Gesner Street. The nearest fire station, Engine 40 & Ladder 4, is located on 6438 Woodland Avenue, approximately .1 miles away, a 35-second driving distance and 2-minute walking distance.
Here is the response timeline, according to Commissioner Sawyer:
- 2:44 a.m. – “We received the first call in fire communications.”
- 2:46 a.m. – “The fire communications gave a verbal dispatch. The call we received was for a rubbish fire on a sofa on a porch.”
- 2:47 a.m. – “We received a second call reporting four houses on fire.”
- 2:47 a.m. – “The members of Ladder 4 were calling fire communications, letting them know that four houses were on fire and they had someone coming.”
- 2:49 a.m. –“ Ladder 4 was on location giving their first report.”
- 2:51 a.m. – “Pipeline 40 showed up on location. They were previously dispatched on a car fire. They were able to make it to this fire from a car fire in less than five minutes.”
“Upon arrival there were three to four houses already on fire,” Sawyer said. “That’s a challenging effort. Normally when we pull up there is one house on fire Now you’re talking about three to four houses on fire and they had to get in service quickly. They did their best to save those children, considering the conditions.”
Philly Fire Feed also released the audio of the fire dispatch during the fatal fire which reveals Ladder 4 responded to the fire about one minute and 20 seconds after the first call went out.
Timeline of Recording
- :00 – Dispatch reports rubbish fire on 65th and Gesner Streets to Engine 68
- :13 – Engine 68 announces they will respond to 65th and Gesner Street for rubbish fire
- :22 – Address of fire reported as 6517 Gesner Street
- :30 – Dispatch announces Engine 68, Engine 69, Squad 47, Engine 54-57, Ladder 4, Ladder 25-13, Battalion 7, Battalion 11 will respond to a dwelling fire.
- 1:23 – Ladder 4 announces they are at the location of the fire. Reports that three two-story row houses are fully-involved.
Photo Credit: Philly FireFeed