Wilmington Fire

Fireboat 7 has returned to service after its annual maintenance. While returning from the marina in Maryland, Fireboat 7 was met by fireboats from Annapolis Fire and Anne Arundel County Fire Department.

Throwback Thursday: WFD ran this Dodge Power Wagon Light Unit in the 1970's.

Engine 1 and Engine 2 C Platoon worked on driver qualification this morning. Focus was on large diameter water supplies and master streams.

Incident Type: Residential Structure Fire
Location: 900 block East 17th Street
Incident Date: May 25, 2026
Incident Time: 2200 hours.

Wilmington Firefighters on the B Platoon were alerted to a reported house fire with subjects trapped in the 900 block of East 17th Street, late Monday evening. Battalion Chief Jeff Schaal arrived on scene with smoke showing from a 2 story, middle of the row dwelling. Companies made an aggressive attack on the fire, located on the first floor while simultaneously searching for any trapped occupants. The fire was quickly extinguished and it was determined that all occupants had exited the residence prior to the fire department's arrival. The house sustained moderate fire and smoke damage. One occupant was evaluated for smoke inhallation, but declined further treatment. The Wilmington Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause of the fire.

Approximately 35 fire and EMS personnel responded to the incident.

Units Responding: Engine 3, Engine 2, Engine 1; Squad 4; Ladder 1, Ladder 2; Battalion Chief 1, Battalion Chief 2.

Congratulations and good luck on your retirement, Senior Firefighter and FMO Inspector Lewis Jefferies. Inspector Jefferies served the citizens of Wilmington for over 21 years, beginning his career in 2004 as a member of the 33rd Recruit Class.

While clearing up from a box alarm earlier this evening, Engine 5, Ladder 2, and Battalion Chief 1 took some time to show a young neighbor the apparatus and have him help pick up hose. Great job!

Throwback Thursday: A Wilmington Firefighter exits the basement at a working structure fire at The Central Grill in Downtown Wilmington in September 1972. Courtesy of the 302 Delaware 🔷 Community, News, Events, and Archives! page

INCIDENT TYPE: 2nd Alarm Structure Fire
LOCATION: West 9th & North Franklin Streets
DATE: May 17, 2026
TIME: 0300 Hours

Wilmington Firefighters were dispatched to the intersection of West 9th Street & North Franklin Street for a report of a church on fire. Battalion Chief Laurence Hinds arrived on scene reporting heavy fire showing from the building. Due to the extensive fire conditions, a defensive attack was ordered and all arriving units were ordered to attack the fire from the exterior. A second alarm was quickly transmitted, bringing all remaining on duty Wilmington firefighters to the scene, along with assistance from several New Castle County departments. Heat and embers were severely exposing several residences in the 1200 block of West 9th Street as well as the 800 block of North Harrison Street. These dwellings were evacuated for a brief period, though no fire extended to these homes, and residents have since been allowed to return home. Firefighters worked for over 90 minutes to bring the flames under control. The church suffered extensive fire damage and the remaining structure is structurally unstable, preventing firefighters from entering the building until a professional evaluation is completed of the remaining structure. Two firefighters received minor injuries, no civilians were injured. The Wilmington Fire Marshal’s Office is currently investigating the cause of the fire.

Approximately 75 fire and EMS personnel responded to the fire. The following units responded: Engine 1, Engine 6, Engine 5; Squad 4; Ladder 2, Ladder 1; Battalion Chief 2, Battalion Chief 1; Ambulance 1; New Castle County Paramedics. 2nd Alarm: Engine 2, Engine 3, Elsmere Engine 16, Five Points Engine 17; Talleyville Ladder 25; Wilmington Manor Ladder 28; Christiana Tower 12, Good Will Tower 18; Cranston Heights Rescue 14; Battalion Chief 4, Battalion Chief 5. Mill Creek Engine 21, Claymont Engine 13 and Delaware City Quint 15 covered empty city fire stations during the height of the incident.