Firefighters from five area fire departments responded to a dwelling fire in the 1100 block of Meadowbrook Circle West around 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27.

The Lehigh County 911 Center dispatched the call after the homeowners returned home to find the home filled with smoke and the electric service not functioning.

First on the scene was Western Salisbury Volunteer Fire Company Chief Joshua Wells who reported a “working fire” in the home’s basement. Interior-qualified firefighters on the first arriving Western Salisbury engine advanced a hose line into the basement to knock down the fire quickly.

The firefighters were joined by units from Lower Macungie and Eastern Salisbury. A rapid intervention team from Lower Macungie’s Alburtis station arrived to assist any firefighter that might get in trouble inside the structure. RIT teams are automatically dispatched for all dwelling and commercial structure fire calls.

Woodlawn Fire Department’s cascade truck was on scene to refill firefighter’s empty air tanks.

While fire damage was held to the home’s basement area, the dwelling required extensive ventilation and rehabilitation.

Salisbury Police Department Sgt. Donald Sabo was on scene to investigate the cause of the fire, but was kept at bay until toxic fume levels were ventilated to a safe level.

EMS personnel from Cetronia Ambulance Corps were on hand to provide hydration for firefighters working in full protective gear on a humid fall evening and to check firefighters’ vital signs.

Eastern Salisbury fire police personnel controlled traffic access in the area.

One interior firefighter said it appeared the fire had been burning or smoldering for some time before it was discovered when the homeowners returned home.

Wells lauded the quick work of the firefighters who were able to keep the fire confined to the basement. The last units were cleared from the scene shortly before 10 p.m.