On Wednesday, January 02, 2008 at approximately 9:30 p.m. Allegheny 9-1-1 received a report of a residential fire alarm activation from an alarm monitoring center, for 4008 Crestwood Drive in West Deer Township. The following units were dispatched on the initial alarm; West Deer #3 (Station 290), West Deer #2 (Station 289), West Deer #1 (Station 288), West Deer EMS (Station 240) and West Deer police.

A few minutes after dispatch, Allegheny 9-1-1 received a call from a neighbor on Crestwood Drive, reporting fire blowing out of the rear of 4008 Crestwood, unknown if occupied or not. Responding units were updated and an immediate 2nd alarm assignment was requested. The following units were dispatched on the 2nd alarm; North Hampton (Station 165) and Richland (Station 241).

First arriving units found heavy fire and smoke issuing from side “C” of a one-story ranch residential. Crews advanced attack lines and initiated an aggressive attack on the fire. Additional crews made a primary search with negative results. Command received information that all occupants were accounted for, allowing crews to concentrate on suppression efforts.

Crews not only had to battle the intense flames, but the freezing temperatures as well. Port Authority brought a heated bus to the scene to be used for rehab for the emergency personnel. Salvation Army personnel also were on the scene with their mobile canteen unit, providing hot and cold drinks and food to the emergency personnel.

The bulk of the fire was knocked down and the fire was placed under control in approximately 45 minutes. Crews remained on the scene for an extended period of time, performing extensive overhaul operations and extinguishing hot spots. The Allegheny County Fire Marshal was called to the scene to investigate the fire, which heavily damaged the house. The cause of the fire is under investigation.