Station 60 Hit By Car - Catches Fire

On Friday, December 12, 2008, the Line Lexington Station on Hilltown Pike of the Hilltown Township Volunteer Fire Company suffered a catastrophic fire.  Our station was hit by a car traveling south on Hilltown Pike; the collision unfortunately killed the driver, 18 year old Kyle T. Chorba of Lansdale, and subsequently the vehicle and our station caught on fire. Our sympathies go out to the Chorba family for their loss.

The fire caused an estimated $500,000 in damages to our station and the four fire trucks housed inside.  Our first-out attack engine, Engine 60, sustained over $150,000 in damages and will be out of service for at least six months.  Although the firehouse sustained structural damage because of the vehicle impact and fire, the company remains in service and we continue to provide fire, rescue, and emergency medical services to our community.  We are fortunate that other Fire and EMS companies have loaned us the necessary equipment including a fire engine until our station, trucks and equipment can be repaired or replaced.

While we do have insurance on the station and on the trucks, the insurance will not cover the full cost of the damages.  It will take some time before the insurance companies start to pay on our claim.  We continue to have out of pocket expenses to return our station and equipment to be ready to respond to any emergency.  These expenses are in addition to our normal operating expenses.

Any monetary or other donations will be greatly appreciated and will assist us in accelerating the necessary repairs to our station and equipment.  Our members have been volunteering to help the community for the last 66 years and now we could really use the community’s help.  Please mail donations to:

      HTVFC – Fire Company Fund
      c/o Univest Bank and Trust
      PO Box 7
      Line Lexington PA 18932

Donations will also be accepted at any Univest Bank branch office.

We would like to thank the many residents, businesses, and surrounding Fire Companies who have already come to our aid and have donated their time as well as their resources toward our recovery.  

The Line Lexington Volunteer Fire Company has been protecting the Village of Line Lexington, Hatfield Twp., Hilltown Twp., and New Britain Twp. since 1942.  In 1985, the Line Lexington Volunteer Fire Company became the Hilltown Township Volunteer Fire Company and opened its second station on Route 152 across from the Hilltown Civic Field in the village of Hilltown.

The Hilltown Township Volunteer Fire Company continues to provide fire protection, rescue and emergency medical services to the residents of Hatfield Twp., Hilltown Twp., and New Britain Twp.  We also provide mutual aid to numerous surrounding fire companies and communities.

For more information, please contact Chief Jim Walter at jimw@hilltownfirerescue.org, 215.822.8287.  

Thank You for your support and have a Safe and Happy Summer!!!

Be part of the Station 60 rebuilding process by purchasing Memorial Bricks. These bricks will form interior columns to accent the remodeled Firehouse. The columns will feature the Fire Company’s Maltese cross surrounded by your Memorial Bricks. Your engraved brick will become a permanent part of the firehouse for all that visit to see!

These custom engraved bricks may be purchased in 2 sizes:

 4" x 8" for $100
8" x 8" for $175