Just shy of 7PM on January 7, 2025, Tower 53 was dispatched along with the ROC companies to Norristown Borough for the building fire at the Faith Tabernacle House of Prayer. Multiple calls were being received for fire coming from the rear of the building. Norristown PD also arrived on location and found fire coming from the first floor in the rear.

Tower 53 with a crew of 5 and BC53-1 made the response. Tower 53 arrived and assumed the first due truck company responsibilities while BC53-1 assisted with command level functions. Tower 53’s crew split with an interior crew performing primary searches and opening up while the exterior crew performed roof operations on the first and second floor roofs, making numerous vertical ventilation cuts.

Approximately 50 minutes into the operation, conditions were still deteriorating due to fire traveling in numerous void spaces in the building. Companies were ordered to tactically withdraw from the building in order to regroup and strategize. By this time, fire was traveling both vertically and horizontally within the large church that has had structural deficiencies. Companies were cleared from the building and defensive operations were put into place.

Tower 53 repositioned onto the Delta side of the building and members worked to open up the large cathedral style windows. Tower 53 then worked for approximately 5 hours utilizing master stream and elevated platform operations. The crew cycled through shifts due to extremely cold temperatures and high winds which froze water on contact.

Tower 53 was ultimately relieved at approximately 1:30AM and returned to service. BC53-1 remained on location to assist with command level functions until released at 3AM.

During this incident, the LPFD was able to fully staff an additional engine company for fire protection in Lower Providence and the regional townships as part of a regional coverage plan.