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Fire Destroys Ingleneuk Tea House

Springfield Firefighters were called to assist Swarthmore Fire Company, Saturday, March 18th around 21:30 hours at the Ingleneuk Tea House, 120 Park Avenue, Swarthmore Boro.  This call would keep firefighters busy for several hours.

Initially dispatched as Smoke in the area, Swarthmore firefighters were quickly notified of the origin of the smoke as the Ingleneuk Tea House.  Upon arrival Swarthmore Fire Company immediately called for the full box alarm assignment which dispatched more units from Swarthmore Fire Company, Morton, Rutledge and Springfield Fire Company.

The fire started to work its way through the structure inside the walls of the nearly 90 year old structure.  The "Balloon Frame" construction provided an easy channel for the fire to advance inside the walls.

Ladder 14 (Swarthmore) was able to position their apparatus in the rear of the structure as firefighters from Engine 14-1 advanced lines in the front door.   Tower 44 was positioned in the driveway and started to ventilate the upper floors and the roof area.  Firefighters worked inside the structure trying to open up walls and ceilings to expose the hidden fire.  With conditions deteriorating on the outside of the structure, Swarthmore's Incident Commander ordered everyone out of the structure and Defensive Operations were established.  Master streams from Ladder 14 and Tower 44  worked to knock down the large volume of fire that was taking hold of the second and third floors.

After all crews had exited the building safely and master streams were in service, a pancake collapse occurred on half of the second and third floors.  Master streams were used to knock down all visible fire and then shut down so crews could reenter the building and perform extensive overhaul operations on the non-collapsed portion of the Tea House.

Crews remained on the scene for several hours.   Companies working at the scene included:  Swarthmore, Springfield, Morton, Rutledge, Broomall (Rapid Intervention Team), Brookhaven, South Media, Garden City and Friendship Canteen Unit. Swarthmore and Springfield Ambulances, Taylor Hospital Medic Unit, Swarthmore Police Department and the Sixth District Fire Police also assisted at the scene.

Newtown Square Fire Company provided coverage for Swarthmore Boro and Clifton Heights Fire Company provided coverage for Springfield Township during this emergency.