At 1726 hours Rescue 95 was dispatched on automatic aid with Earl Township Fire Company for an accident with injuries at North Ironstone Drive and Willow Road in Earl Township. Assistant 19 arrived and reported a vehicle into the structure with the occupant of the house with minor injuries and all vehicle occupants self extricated. Assistant 19 immediately requested Collapse 95 and the Special Operations Division of Station 95 be dispatched for severe structural damage. Assistant 19 also reported a potential chimney fire since the vehicle struck the residence next to the chimney in the area of the woodstove. Upon arrival of the Collapse Team personnel entered to evaluate the structural damage while personnel from Earl Township were emptying the wood stove and checking to assure no extension from the chimney. The resident occupant was evaluated and transported to the hospital by Boyertown Ambulance.
Upon evaluation it was determined that the second floor was compromised due to the amount of the first floor wall studs knocked out by the accident and this was the support wall for the second floor. It was also determined the first floor was a concrete slab with no basement. The Special Operations Assistant Chief and Captain developed a plan to construct a support around and over the vehicle using Paratech struts and aluminum waler to capture the second floor joists. Utilities were secured and a portion of the drop ceiling was removed to expose the rafters. Personnel then built the support system and installed next to and across the vehicle. The remaining damaged wall which was resting on the vehicle was removed and the exterior wall was cut around the vehicle to allow Berks-Mont Towing to safely remove the vehicle.
A restoration company was dispatched and arrived and the Special Operations Officers conversed with them and they constructed a temporary support wall adjacent to the struts to allow the Paratech support system to be removed. The company was then released and placed available at 1917 hours. The accident is under investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police.
