October 8, 2022 – At 2:31 AM Mill Creek Fire Company was dispatched to a multi-residential fire at the Deville Court Apartments located just off Kirkwood Highway.    Firefighters from Mill Creek arrived on the scene with smoke showing from the three-story apartment building.   Firefighters from Belvedere, Cranston Heights, Elsmere, Five Points, Minquas and Hockessin Fire Companies also responded.

Smoke was billowing out of the front door of the 12-unit apartment building as firefighters searched and found a first-floor apartment on fire.   Everyone in the building was able to escape without any injures.  One of the occupants of the apartment on fire was able to use a fire extinguisher on the living room fire knocking the fire down.   Approximately thirty firefighters were at the scene.  

As firefighters were preparing to leave an individual who was staying in the apartment that caught fire
attempted to drive off with a Mill Creek Fire Company command vehicle.  The individual had entered the driver’s door and held the accelerator to the floor.  As the engine was racing a Mill Creek Fire Company officer jumped in the vehicle and was able to turn the vehicle off and secure the ignition keys.  The person was pulled out of the vehicle and started an altercation with firefighters.  The New Castle County Police were called, and the man was eventually arrested by the police.
 

The Delaware State Fire Marsha’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire.

JS