Just after 5 pm, Ladder 53 was dispatched on the 2nd Alarm to assist the Downingtown FD at a building fire on Wallace Ave across from Station 46. Heavy fire and smoke had taken hold of a strip of stores and offices as units from across Chester County responded to also assist Downingtown. Ladder 53, with a crew of six firefighters, was positioned at the A-B corner of the fire building and placed the ladder pipe in service. Crews operated for several hours in heavy smoke conditions before the fire was brought under control. Ladder 53 was released from the fireground around 10 pm. The fire eventually reached 3 Alarms, bringing resources and personnel from across Chester County to the scene. Other West Chester Fire Department units also operated at the scene, as well.