BEACON (2008 April 16) - At around 9:30pm, Chelsea Fire District and Castle Point VA Fire Department were dispatched for a reported house fire with unknown if persons are still inside. Also during this time Volunteer Firefighter Brendan Hernandez was driving home from his full-time job as an EMS worker for the Empire Ambulance Company when he saw the building on fire.

Prior to any equipment arrival, Hernandez and a Police Officer were the first to come upon the incident. The police officer boosted Hernandez into a window and he removed the only occupant in the structure at the time. He then updated 911, that one person was trapped and removed from the structure and that the building was heavily involved.

Shortly after this Chelsea Car 1 (35-1) arrived at the scene and reported a heavily involved 2 story private dwelling. At this time he also transmitted a 2nd alarm. The 2nd alarm brought Engine 33-12 to the scene as well as other neighboring departments. Upon arrival of Engine 33-12, they were assigned to participate in a water relay to pump water from the near-by highway of Route 9D to the scene.

The fire took about 45 minutes to extinguish and was confined to the building. The fire is currently under investigation.

Special thanks to Bill Johnson and Rob Reynolds for the photos from the incident. Bill Johnson's professional fire incident photos can be purchased at his website: FDPhotoUnit.com.

(Photos By: Rob Reynolds and Bill Johnson)

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