Thursday September, 10 2026 @ 13:51:08

Nature: Trailer Fire – Residential - Stem Street

Address: 34704 Stem Street, Pot Nets Bayside

Cross Streets: Port Road / Sloop Avenue

On Thursday afternoon, September 10th, the Indian River Volunteer (80), Lewes (82), and Millsboro (83) fire companies were alerted for a trailer fire on Stem Street in the Pot Nets Bayside development.  Additional mutual aid alerts included the Dagsboro (73), Frankford (76), Georgetown (77) and Milton (85) fire companies as well as the Mid Sussex Rescue Squad and the Sussex County Paramedics.  It was reported to be a fire inside of the house with smoke and flames visible.

Emergency response units from Indian River included Rescue 80 and Tanker 80 from the Oak Orchard facility, Engine 80 and Utility 80-11 from the Long Neck facility as well as the Delaware State Fire Police.

Emergency response crew assignments included apparatus deployment with 2½” rear blitz line activation as well as other fire suppression lines, establish water supply with drafting locations from the river (lagoon) areas within the immediate vicinity, protect the exposures of neighboring properties, request mutual aid response with tanker and engine assists, firefighter rehab set-up, request utility service providers to the incident location, and multiple other fire ground operation tactics.  

Immediate arriving first responders identified heavy fire and smoke showing with full involvement on side “A” with utilities on side “C” establishing incident command and providing assignment delegation for arriving apparatus.

There was one firefighter transported to medical facilities for heat exhaustion.

The Delaware State Fire Police and Pot Nets Security coordinated complete scene access closure for the duration of the incident.

The Delaware State Fire Marshal is investigating.

Additional information may be viewed at the following websites:

• WRDE News - https://www.coasttv.com/news/firefighter-hospitalized-for-heat-exhaustion-during-trailer-fire-in-pot-nets/article_796a4c64-19e5-41a7-bdd8-eeb3b8c0c26b.html