More than 120 volunteer firefighters and fire police from 15 companies responded to a potentially disastrous woods and brush fire in the 2300 block of Colflesh Road in New Hanover Township at 1:45 Monday afternoon.

                Firefighters from New Hanover Township Fire and Rescue Company quickly responded to the scene and found that dangerous winds had already spread the fire across the dry fields and into nearby woods, pushing the flames east and endangering several homes and properties bordered by Colflesh, Little, Houseman and Church roads.

                New Hanover fire officials called for multiple companies to assist and provide additional engines, tank trucks, field trucks and all-terrain vehicles.  In some cases, the fire was at least one-quarter mile from the nearest access road, forcing the volunteers to travel long distances carrying heavy equipment.

                Firefighters lugged more than 3,000 feet of hose into the woods and fields at several different locations to battle the blaze.  Two firefighters were taken to the Pottstown Memorial Medical Center for exhaustion, where they were treated and released.

                According to New Hanover Deputy Chief Bill Moyer, fire officials took a "defensive stance" due to the flames spreading quickly towards several houses in the area.  While some firefighters were fighting the fire, other firefighters and equipment were stationed in the driveways and backyards of homes that were in the path of the spreading flames.

                Every time the wind shifted, a new danger emerged.

                Moyer reported that at one time, "two homes were in imminent threat" of catching fire.  In the 2300 block of Little Road, the fast-moving flames were stopped by firefighters with help from a shifting wind. 

                The fire, which eventually consumed more than 15 acres, was contained by 4 p.m. but firefighters stayed on the scene for another three hours to extinguish hot spots.  The fire scene was turned over to crews from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) who monitored the site until later in the evening.

                According to Moyer the fire was caused by homeowner burning trash.  No damage estimate was available.

                "There were serious threats [while battling the fire] but everyone working together was a team effort that really worked out," Moyer said.  No buildings were damaged by the fire.

                Firefighters and fire police from Montgomery County assisting at the scene included Gilbertsville, Green Lane, Limerick, Lower Frederick, Pennsburg, Perkiomen Township, Red Hill, Ringing Hill, Schwenksville, Trappe, Upper Frederick and Upper Pottsgrove. 

                Berks County units responded from Boyertown and Eastern Berks fire companies.

                Fire units from East Greenville, Harleysville and West End Fire Company of Stowe were on standby at New Hanover's station.

                Emergency medical units responding included Gilbertsville Ambulance and Goodwill of Pottstown.

                Canteen services were provided by the Salvation Army service of Boyertown.