Last night at 10:52 the assignment was dispatched to the area of 18 East Essex Avenue for a house fire. The first alarm consisted of Companies 19, 24(East Lansdowne), Rescue 16(Yeadon), and Quint 3(Clifton Heights). Chief 19(T. Young) arrived and reported smoke showing from a 3 story single family dwelling and possible fire in the basement. The RIT from station 9(Sharon Hill)was then immediatly requested. Engine and Truck 19 arrived and forced the front door, encountered heavy smoke conditions through the entire house. Crews then began searching for the bulk of the fire as well as residents. Crews located the fire in the basement and running the walls. A second alarm was requested, due to deteriorating bringing the remainer of Companies 16 and 03 along with Companies 20(Drexel Hill), Engine 04(Darby 1), Tower 74(Primos-Secane), the remainer of Company 09 and Canteen 47(Chester Township). A second RIT was requested bringing an engine from Company 44(Springfield). As conditions began to worsen crews were pulled from the building and master streams were placed in service. After the bulk of the fire was knocked down crews re-entered the building for final extinguishment. A special call was made for Station 22(Millbourne) to assist with overhaul. After extensive overhaul the fire was placed under control. Crews remained on location for over 5 hours before returning to service. Cover for station 19 was Engine 63(Green Ridge) and Tower 05(Glenolden).