Newtown Area Firefighters Assist At Solebury Township Brush Fire

NEWTOWN, PA — Firefighters from Newtown Fire Rescue and Lingohocken were among the Bucks County companies that responded on Friday and Saturday to a three alarm brush fire in Solebury Township.

A crew from Newtown Fire Rescue 45 spent several hours on Friday assisting mutual aid companies in containing the fire and hitting hot spots.

On Friday and Saturday, Lingohocken’s Field and UTV 35, Tanker 5, Engines 35, 85, and 95 assisted Midway Volunteer Fire Company with fighting the fire, structure protection, water
supply, and overhaul.

Companies were called in on Friday from four counties to combat the fire, which burned 15 acres over a 24 hour period between Aquetong, Stoney Hill and Lower Mountain Roads.

After 24 hours of dragging hoses into the woods hundreds of feet and using shovels, rakes, and saws to create fire breaks, the fire was officially extinguished on Saturday evening.

A firefighter is silhouetted against the smokey haze in Solebury. (Lingohocken Fire Co. photo)

“This lengthy and exhaustive task could not have occurred without the assistance of a multitude of volunteers who came to our aid yesterday, overnight and throughout the day on Saturday,” posted the Midway Volunteer Fire Company which oversaw command operations throughout the brush fire detail.

"Due to the lack of rain, wind conditions, and warmer than usual temperatures for this time of year there is a high fire risk to our area," posted Newtown Fire Rescue. “Open burning is prohibited until these conditions change. Cooking fires, such as grills, are allowed unless done unsafely. Any open flame, including cooking fires, if deemed unsafe will be required to be extinguished.

“Our area has had multiple large brush fire incidents causing property damage and draining resources over the past week and a half,” the company reported. “Please remember that even when these conditions change the only fuels allowed are seasoned firewood, yard debris (such as leaves) may never be used as fuel.”