At 16:14 on Saturday, May 30, Station 20 was alerted for a structure fire on Third St. in Evans City Borough. Engine 20, Engine 19, Tanker 19, Engine 23, Tanker 23, Ladder 22, Rescue 22 and EMS 62-3 quickly responded to the scene. Police arrived on scene first and confirmed a working garage fire attached to a residence. A large volume of smoke in the air prompted Captain 20 to call for a second alarm, which was stations 42, 12, 3, and 11. But soon all of those stations were advised to stand down with the exception of manpower and a ladder from 42.
Engine 20 arrived on scene of a story-and-a-half single-family dwelling with moderate smoke pushing from the alpha/bravo corner and a large amount of fire in a single car garage. With Safety Officer 20 (Natali) in command, Captain 20 (Quinn) and FF Senn pulled a 2½ preconnect and made an aggressive attack, knocking the fire down. FF Senn then joined FF Jamison and pulled a 1¾ line to perform an interior search for extension. Only a smoke condition was found throughout the structure. Engine 19 crew was assigned the task of overhauling the garage and dousing hot spots. Captain 20 then assumed command.
Ladder 22 crew went to work checking for extension in the eaves on the alpha/bravo corner where there was a moderate amount of smoke pushing out. No extension was found. They then went to the alpha/delta corner to assist Engine 19 and Engine 23 crews vent the garage. They also pulled siding above the fire room. Minor extension was found on the first truss of the division 2 delta side. Ladder 42 crews went inside to perform salvage and move items away from the interior delta wall. There was smoke damage throughout the structure and water damage in the subdivision.
The fire is considered accidental in nature, likely caused by a hot engine on a lawn tractor pulled into the garage. The time from first alarm to first water on the fire was about 8 minutes.