At 00:53 Stafford E.C.C. started receiving numerous calls for a townhouse on fire at 401 Backridge Court in the England Run subdivision. The response brought Wagon, Rescue, and Chief 1-2 with 9 men and while enroute the units were advised this would be a working fire due to off-duty members on the scene. Upon hearing this and seeing a large glow in the area, the officer on Rescue 1 asked that the second alarm be sounded bringing Engine 1 to the scene. Chief 1-2 arrived first and reported he had a 2 story, woodframe, end unit townhome with fire showing from both floors with possible extension into 403 Backridge. The Wagon and the Rescue arrived seconds later and went to work. The crew from Wagon 1 ran the 200' 1.75" crosslay while the Rescue crew entered to attempt a search. Due to the large volume of fire in 401 the Rescue crew brought a second line and began assisting with extiguishment while performing a primary search with negative results. As units arrived they were deployed into 403 Backridge with hoselines and hooks to prevent further extension. Wagon 1 operating on the second floor of 401 advised Command that the floor was collapsing and the evacuation tones were sounded for 401. Truck 2 (Stafford V.F.D.) set up the aerial for heavy duty streams which brought the fire under control in about 10 minutes but crews remained on the scene for over 4 hours mopping up. Three firefighters suffered minor injuries due to the floor collapse and were released from the hospital. Good work was done by all who responded. The fire is still under investigation.
