January 31, 2019 - ChaddsFordLive.com

Sprinkler valve off during Barclay fire

Investigators now say a sprinkler valve was likely in the off position during the Nov. 16, 2017 fire at the Barclay Friends Senior Center in West Chester that killed four people. It has still not been determined what caused the fire, but there is no indication of arson. Those were the findings given in a press release the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives issued today.

When first responders arrived on the scene at approximately 10:45 that night, the Woolman building was fully involved with fire. Responders first efforts were to evacuate the 152 residents and staff members and then turn their efforts to fight the fire.

When investigators arrived on the scene, the main sprinkler valve was found in the off position. Despite extensive testing and interviews, investigators were unable to determine definitively when the valve was turned off. Based on the totality of the investigation, it is the belief of the investigators that it was off during the fire.

The fire investigation was a collaborative effort and worked in coordination with the Chester County District Attorney’s Office, Chester County Fire Marshal’s Office, Pennsylvania State Police, West Chester Police Department, Chester County Sheriff’s Office and Chester County Department of Emergency Services.

Based on the scene examination and witness statements, the area of origin of the fire was determined to have been in the rear garden room – which was located on the outdoor patio, under the Woolman building overhang. The exact point of origin is unknown due to the extensive damage caused by the fire.

According to initial fire alarm data and witnesses, the smoke and fire alarms acted as designed with audible sirens and strobes activating upon smoke impingement on the smoke detectors within the garden room, causing the fire doors to shut. Residents and staff reported hearing these alarms and quickly started to evacuate the building.

Based on the totality of the investigation, it is the belief of the investigators that due to the excessive winds that night, the flammability of the vinyl siding on the building, and lack of exterior sprinklers (not currently required by code), the fire was able to intensify and spread rapidly to the roof and other parts of the building.

After more than 300 interviews, a systematic fire-scene examination and re-creation, the review of witness photos, videos and observations, as well as extensive scientific testing at the ATF Fire Research Lab in Beltsville, Md., the cause of the fire has been ruled “undetermined.”

Anyone having information regarding this fire should call the ATF 2417 hotline at 1-888-ATF-FIRE (1-888- 283-3473), email: A TFTips@atf.gov (l ink sends e-mail) or submit a tip anonymously by using the Reportlt App on your mobile phone.

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Adam Miller of Jennersville

Obituaries

Adam Miller, 93, of Jennersville, died Monday, Jan. 28, at his residence. He was the husband of Bessie Campbell Miller, who died in 2001, and with whom he shared 47 years of marriage.

Born in Ashe County, N.C., he was the son of the late Jonathan Miller and the late Mandy Greer Miller.

He worked at Thompson Roses for many years, retiring in 1990.

Mr. Miller attended Safe Harbor Baptist Church in Cochranville.

He was an avid walker and enjoyed going to cookouts, the beach, muscle cars and being with his family and friends. He was a very kind and generous gentleman and had a great sense of humor.

He was survived by step-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

Mr. Miller was predeceased by one stepson, Jack Thompson, two brothers, Everett Miller and Junior Miller and two sisters, Gertrude Davis and Annie Stanley.

You are invited to visit with his family and friends from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2, at the Kuzo Funeral Home, 250 West State Street, Kennett Square. His funeral service will follow at 11. Burial will be in Longwood Cemetery, 945 East Baltimore Pike, Kennett Square.

To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.griecocares.com

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Residents want drivers to stop

Local News, Local News Pocopson

Cars ignoring stopped school buses and driving through stop signs are an ongoing problem in the Preserve at Chadds Ford development, according to residents.

Residents at the Preserve turned out in force Monday night for the Pocopson Township supervisors’ meeting to complain about traffic problems within the development that they say are endangering their children.

Shilpa Kapil said she has called the state police’s Avondale barracks on several occasions to complain about cars speeding through the development and “blatantly disregarding the stop signs and school buses.” The bus stop at Pratt Lane, a cul-de-sac in the development, was one place where residents had seen drivers disregarding traffic safety.

A digital speed sign is already in the development, said Mark Knightly, Pocopson’s public works director.

Supervisors encouraged the residents to address the issue with the homeowners’ association, as some drivers in question appeared to live in the development. They also encouraged the residents to share their concerns with the school district.

Commander Michelle Swantner of the state police’s Avondale barracks told residents they can call the state police’s non-emergency number – 610-268-2022 – to report vehicles they see passing stopped school buses or ignoring stop signs.

Passing a school bus that has red lights flashing and the stop arm extended is illegal in Pennsylvania and punishable with, among other things, a fine, driver’s license suspension, and five points on the driving record, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Ignoring a stop sign can mean a fine and three points on a driver’s record as well.

“We take very seriously the safety of kids,” Swantner said. “We don’t care if you call us 10 times a day.”

She told residents to get not only the license plate but the make, model and color of any vehicles they are reporting.

Township resident Linda DeHaven advised Preserve residents to write or photograph the license plates of any cars that disregard stopped school buses and report them to the Unionville-Chadds Ford transportation office.

“I was a bus driver, and I know what you’re talking about,” she said.

The supervisors will also discuss at a later date the possibility of installing temporary speed bumps to help slow down traffic in the development. The temporary speed bumps can only be used in warmer weather and not during the winter because of snow plows.

Other business

• Supervisor Alice Balsama said she will not run for re-election when her term expires in December. The crowd thanked her for her work over the years and applauded her service to Pocopson.

• Brad Piper, the township’s representative on the Kennett Library Board of Directors, asked to be put on the February agenda. He and fellow Pocopson representative Chris Larsen will give an update on the library.

• The supervisors voted to authorize the township’s public works department to purchase an 11-foot plow and a dump truck body. The plow is $11,803, and the dump body is $28,450. The frame will also be sandblasted at a cost of $1,600. All three expenses are part of the township budget.

• The supervisors voted to forward the constable contract renewal to the township solicitor. Balsama abstained from the vote, as her husband is the constable.

About Monica Fragale

Monica Thompson Fragale is a freelance reporter who spent her life dreaming of being in the newspaper business. That dream came true after college when she started working at The Kennett Paper and, years later The Reporter newspaper in Lansdale and other dailies. She turned to non-profit work after her first daughter was born and spent the next 13 years in that field. But while you can take the girl out of journalism, you can’t take journalism out of the girl. Offers to freelance sparked the writing bug again started her fingers happily tapping away on the keyboard. Monica lives with her husband and two children in Kennett Square.

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Around Town Jan. 31

Along the Ford

Vocalists from the Curtis Opera Theater will perform at Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center Saturday Feb. 9 at 7 p.m.

• The Chester County Art Association is offering a series of adult classes in February. They include Still Life Painting on Wednesday, Feb. 6, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m, Plein Air on Saturday, Feb. 9, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Silkscreen and Relief Printmaking-Intermediate on Thursday, Feb. 13, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Portrait Painting on Monday, Feb. 18, from 6 to 9 p.m. and Black & White Photography-Beginners: Thursday, Feb. 21, from 7 to 9 p.m. To register, go here.

Rebecca King performs at Neumann University in Aston on Sunday, Feb. 10

• Glenn Mills resident Rebecca King will be performing in a concert titled No Strings Attached at the Meagher Theater at Neumann University in Aston on Sunday, Feb. 10 at 3 p.m. Concert tickets are $15 or $12 for seniors and students. Upon presentation of your Delaware County or Montgomery County Library card, you may purchase one ticket at the regular price and then receive one free ticket at the ticket table the day of the concert. Bring a friend for free. For directions to Neumann Campus or while on campus please call Neumann Security for helpful advice at 610-558-5555. There is ample free parking adjacent to the theatre and the Life Center is handicapped accessible. For information call 610-879-7059 or visit www.dcsmusic.org

Valentine’s Day Basket raffle for Rachel Kohl Library.

• Love is in the air at Rachel Kohl Library. Take a chance on the Friends of the Library’s Valentine’s Day raffle basket. The basket contains five bottles of wine, a wine opener, and plenty of snacks. Chances are one for $3 or two for $5. Must be 21 or over to win. Winner will be announced on Feb. 12. Call the library at 610-358-3445 for more information.

• Vocalists from the Curtis Opera Theater will perform at Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center Saturday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. Warmly received in 2018, Curtis on Tour is the Nina von Maltzahn Global Touring Initiative of the Curtis Institute of Music. The upcoming Vocal Quartet program features operatic favorites and gems from the American Songbook. Hear the future stars of opera here first, in a thrilling and diverse program culminating with the elegant Liebeslieder Waltzes of Johannes Brahms. Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center is conveniently located near parking and restaurants at 226 North High Street, West Chester. Purchase tickets at UptownWestChester.org, at the box office or call 610-356-ARTS(2787).

• West Chester University’s Department of Art + Design continues the 2018/19 season with the opening of Inside the Bug Jar in the E.O. Bull Center’s Baker Gallery at 2 E. Rosedale Avenue. The work will be on display through Feb. 22. The event is free and open to the public during gallery hours: Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturday from noon – 4 p.m. An artist and press reception will be held on Thursday, Feb. 7 from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Inside the Bug Jaris an exhibition that features the work of a diverse collection of West Chester’s Studio Art Alumni. Paintings, ceramics, porcelain work, and photography are all on display.

• The Mid Atlantic Percussion Society Indoor Percussion Competition is at Unionville High School on Saturday, March 9, starting at 4 p.m. More than 20 bands from the tri-state area will perform. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for students/seniors, and food is available for sale.

• Boy Scout Troop 260 of Concordville will be holding its annual pancake breakfast fundraiser on Saturday, March 2, 7 a.m. to noon at Elam United Methodist Church, 1063 Smithbridge Road. The menu will include all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, coffee, hot chocolate, and juice. Pancake toppings such as whipped cream, sprinkles, chocolate chips and blueberry sauce will be available at no extra charge. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for seniors and children.

• The Board of Supervisors of Chadds Ford Township has determined that an updated Village Community Plan is necessary to determine the impact of the Walkable Chadds Ford project on what is currently known as the “Village.” A community forum— the first of two on the subject — will be held Thursday, Feb. 7, at 7 p.m. in the township building at 10 Ring Road.

• There will be a public meeting on plans for a possible water trail along the Brandywine at the Brandywine River Museum of Art on Tuesday, Feb. 12 from 5-7 p.m. The study focuses on the East and West branch of the Brandywine from Coatesville and Downingtown, to Brandywine Creek State Park in Delaware, so residents of both Pennsylvania and Delaware are welcome to attend and provide input.

Hundreds made it to the Kennett High School gym Sunday to take part in the annual Chocolate Lover Festival benefiting the United Way of Southern Chester County…

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