Saturday March, 19 2022 @ 14:57

Nature: Structure Fire

Location: 31788 Schooner Dr., River Village, DE 19966

On Saturday, March 19^th, the Indian River (80), Lewes (82) and Millsboro (83) fire departments were alerted for a structure fire on Schooner Drive in the River Village development off Oak Orchard Road.  Additional emergency alerts included the Mid Sussex Rescue Squad and the Sussex County Paramedics.

Emergency response units from Indian River included Tanker 80 and Rescue 80 from the Oak Orchard facility and Engines #80-3 and #80-3 from the Long Neck facility as well as the Delaware State Fire Police.

Emergency response crew assignments included initial suppression actions for improperly discarded smoking materials, interior evaluation and ventilation, incident mitigation.

It appears that an occupant of the single wide manufactured home improperly discarded smoking materials igniting the exterior leaves and debris on fire near the structure causing damage to the skirting and flooring of the home. Another quick-thinking occupant utilized a garden to pursue suppression activities thereby mitigating significant damage.  All occupants of the structure self-evacuated before fire department arrival.  All other responding fire companies were cancelled when the Incident Commander downgraded the incident to just Indian River units that were already on scene.

The Delaware State Fire Police coordinated traffic control and scene access concerns.