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Monday, March 1, 2010 03:23 - Shortly before 0330 on Monday, March 1, Box 203 was struck for a structure fire on the 100 Block of Klinger Road in Upper Paxton Township. The caller reported a barn to be on fire with animals entrapped that also endangered a nearby house. A 200 gallon propane cylinder was also reported to be involved. Chief 20 (Petery) responded to the scene and upon arrival reported a shed to be fully involved as well as the propane cylinder which was venting. Engine 20 arrived and was directed to pull a line and begin cooling the propane cylinder. Crews then switched to extinguishing the shed with CAFS after the propane cylinder had expelled it’s gas. Command 20 advised the remaining incoming units that Engine 20 would nurse off the tankers. Tanker 21 was the first tanker to arrive and immediately connected to Engine 20. All other arriving units were to send manpower to Side Alpha. Command also held the box to Company 20 (Engine, Truck and Tanker), Company 21 (Engine, Rescue and Tanker) and Company 26 (Engine and Tanker) with the remainder of the responding apparatus to go in service. Engine 29-1 and Tanker 29 from Halifax transferred to Station 20 to handle any other calls in the district. Chief 201 (Koppenhaver) noticed that very little wood was remaining and the tin exterior was pulled down with ease to perform overhaul. Berrysburg and Elizabethville’s crews assisted with overhaul. Regrettably, crews arrived too late to save any of the goats and an estimate 12 or 13 perished in the blaze. Structural damage was limited to the shed and propane cylinder with some thermal damage to the siding of the nearby house. The cause of the fire was determined to be undetermined but unintentional. WHP Channel 21 made the journey to cover the fire and was reported later that morning on the 5:30 and 6:00 newscasts. The box was placed in service at 0503. Responding and on-scene units included Engines 20, 21, 26 and 29-1; Truck 20; Tankers 20, 21, 26, 216 and 27; Rescues 21 and 27; Squad 26; Chief 20 and Ambulance 201.
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