News

Historic School Burns Near Laurel
Friday, April 13, 2007

On Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 1739 hours Sussex 911 Center dispatched Laurel, Millsboro, & Gumboro Fire Departments for a Building Fire on East Trap Pond Road. Deputy Chief Jeff Hill responded in 81-Command. Once on scene command reported an old school house building fully involved. Command advised all units this would be an exterior attack.

Engine 81-2 arrived on scene with Asst. Chief Brittingham (81-16) shortly after, and stretched an 1 ¾ ? hand line to the structure. Asst. Chief Brittingham was directed to take operations of the incident. Engine 81-4 arrived on scene next and supplied Engine 81-2. The crew from Engine 81-4 then advanced a second hand line off Engine 2 to assist. These crews put a major knock down on the fire with the assistance of Ladder 83 and Engine 83 crews. Gumboro units arrived and assisted with relieving first in units. Additional Tankers from 83, 79, 71, & 74 were requested to assist in the suppression and overhaul.

It took fire fighters approx. 1 hour to bring the blaze under control. Despite the efforts of the Fire Departments the building was a total loss. No injuries were reported. The Delaware State Fire Marshall?s Office is currently investigating the cause of the fire. Deputy Chief Hill placed the incident under control at 1849 hours. Last 81 and 83 units were in service at 2130 hours.

Historic Information:
The name of the Building is the Ross Point Colored School. Back in the early 1900?s this school was very popular for education. The school is a one and one half story building with no basement, frames shingle one classroom school building, and peaked wood shingle roof. The heat was furnished by a drum stove. There was no electricity.

Photos by: Ryan Whittington (Fire in the hole Photography). You can view more photos at www.fithp.com