At around 1700 hours on January 6, 2015, York Village and York Beach Fire Departments were dispatched to 35 Route 1 for a report of a building fire. York dispatch advised that they were receiving calls. York Beach Car 3 (Asst. Chief Welch) was in the area and arrived first. He reported heavy fire showing from the roof and rear of the building. C-1 immediately requested a first alarm “working fire” Engine 4 and Truck 8 were on the road immediately having volunteers in the station helped the rigs get on the road rapidly. Engine 4 took the treacherous driveway and had difficulties because of the ice but was able to position. Truck 8 took a hydrant on Route 1 and laid a 5″ supply line to E4. Multiple 1 3/4″ and (1) 2 1/2″ handline were stretched to bring the fire under control. 1 civilian was transported to York Hospital by York Ambulance from the fire scene, there were no firefighter injuries despite the extreme cold and icy conditions. York Village Fire was assisted at the scene by York Beach Fire and Kittery Engine 1. Kittery Point Engine 5 covered our station. York Beach Engine 1 took in a fire alarm activation at Rite-Aid on Route 1 during the height of the fire, the cause of that alarm was attributed to a water pressure surge from the fire hydrant being opened for the firefighting effort up the road.
Here is a link to the story from WCSH Channel 6 in Portland:
http://www.wgme.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/extreme-cold-made-difficult-firefighters-york-25490.shtml#.VLBh26C9KK2
