Newton Abbott FAST Team Reassigned to Fire Attack and Searches at Reserve Structure Fire

Hamburg, NY - Firefighters from the Newton Abbott Fire Company mobilized on mutual aid Tuesday afternoon, initially staging as a dedicated firefighter rescue team before pivoting directly into active search and overhaul operations at a working residential structure fire in the neighboring Reserve fire district.

At 3:28 p.m. on September 22, the Newton Abbott Firefighter Assist and Search Team (FAST) was requested to respond to the Reserve area to provide rapid intervention coverage for operating interior crews. Arriving fire chiefs reported heavy smoke and flames pushing from an attached garage, with the fire threatening to spread further into the connected living spaces of the home.

Upon reaching the fireground, command reassigned the Newton Abbott crew from FAST standby duties to frontline structural operations. Firefighters entered the smoke-filled residence to conduct rapid primary searches, confirming all civilian occupants were safely out of harm's way, while opening up walls and ceilings during overhaul to track down and suppress residual pockets of fire extending from the garage.

Operating alongside Reserve and neighboring mutual aid companies, Newton Abbott personnel worked for approximately one hour to stabilize the scene, conduct property conservation, and ensure the fire was completely extinguished before being released from the scene and returning to service.