At approximately 18:30 hours on 14 September 2004, Munhall Communications 

recieved a report of a fire inside a row house at 615 East 18th Avenue in the 

boro of Munhall. The first alarm was immediately dispatched, putting stations 

200, 201, and 204 in service as well as station 630 (Munhall Area Pre-Hospital 

Services), and Munhall PD. Munhall Bureau of Fire assistant chief 775C3, Ed 

Pletch arrived within minutes after dispatch, confirmed heavy smoke coming from 

the sector 3 side, and assumed command. Squirt 200 was ordered to take the 

hydrant at 18th & Andrew, lay into the alley, and begin truck ops. Engine 204 

arrived shortly there after and assisted the crew from station 200. Engine 201 

was ordered to take the hydrant at 18th and McClure and lay into the sector 1 

side.

> 

> At approximately 18:45 hours, command requested the second alarm struck, 

bringing Station 171, Air 294, Engine 294 (RIT) to the scene. The remaining 

Munhall companies, stations 202 and 203 were also dispatched to the scene for 

additional manpower. Truck 171 was instructed to set up in front of Engine 201 

in sector 1 and vent the roof. Truck 171 was fed a steady water supply courtesy 

of Engine 201. Crews quickly knocked down the main body of the fire. Command 

placed the incident under control at approximately 19:10 hours. 

> 

> Numerous transfers and stand-bys were put into effect. Rescue 295 transfered 

to station 203, station 298 was placed on stand by in station to cover Munhall, 

station 292 was placed on stand by in station for Homestead, and Quint 293 

transferred to station 171. Brentwood and Prism EMS also responded to the scene 

to assist MAPS. Homestead and West Homestead PD's also responded to assist with 

crowd control. Allegheny County Fire Marshall was also notified and responded to 

the scene. Some hazards on scene included live wires down on the sector 3 side 

which arced several times. 

> 

> The bulk of the fire was contained to the originating structure, however units 

on either side recieved some smoke, fire, and water damage. No injuries to 

firefighters were reported, however one civilian injury-a puncture wound to the 

foot-was treated by Brentwood EMS. It is unknown as to whether the civilian was 

transported to a local hospital. The incident is under investigation. All units 

cleared the scene by 20:00 hours.