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Multiple Townhouses Damaged in Downtown Fire
Thursday, March 16, 2023

On March 16, 2023 at just before 9:30pm, Delaware City Fire Company and mutual aid responded to the 100 block of Clinton Street for a residential fire. Delaware City units arrived on scene within two minutes of dispatch to find fire showing from the 2nd floor of an end-of-the-row townhouse. The fire unit was a 3 story rowhouse constructed in 1890, which was unoccupied and was undergoing significant renovations at the time of the fire. Squad 15 established a water supply and deployed a 1.75" attack line into the fire building. Their crew made entry and found fire on the 1st floor extending up the Delta side wall to the 2nd, 3rd, and attic. The fire extended to the attic of the Bravo 1 (left) exposure townhouse but was quickly controlled and damage was limited. In total 4 handlines were stretched with 3 in operation and searches of the fire unit and exposures were negative. Vertical ventilation was completed in the fire unit and B1 exposure which helped to contain the fire. Several holes burned through the floors complicating firefighting efforts and extensive overhaul was completed to open up the plaster-and-lath walls and ceilings to check for any fire spread. A 2nd alarm equivalent responded and crews operated for two hours.

One firefighter sustained a lower extremity injury outside of the building. The injured firefighter was transported via Delaware City ambulance to Christiana Hospital where they were treated and subsequently released. 3 adult occupants of the exposure townhouse were displaced and are being assisted by the American Red Cross. The Delaware State Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause of the fire and Assistant Chief Sands had Delaware City Command. Thank you to Cranston Heights Fire Company, Claymont Fire Company, and Citizens Hose Company who provided regional coverage during the response.

Responding Agencies:

Delaware City Fire Company

Christiana Fire Company

Port Penn Fire Company

Wilmington Manor Fire Company

Odessa Fire Company

Good Will Fire Company

New Castle County Paramedics

Delaware City Police

Delmarva Power and Gas

Delaware State Fire Marshal's Office