Wednesday, May 30, 2012  Around 0447 hours Engine 8 was alerted to the house across from 910 Elfin Ave, in Company 5's area, for a dwelling fire. Engine 8 arrived first to find fire showing from side D of a vacant house and advanced a line. The crew encountered heavy fire conditions and extinguished the same. The assignment was scaled back a short time later for overhaul and the cause is under investigation. Engine 8 returned to service in about 4 hours. Then around 1630 hours Engine 8 was alerted to assist units in the 400 Blk of Ritchie Rd, in Company 37's area, with an accident and people trapped. Once again what was once a quick response for Squad 8 was made longer due to the county's removal of the service. Engine 8 arrived and assisted with blocking traffic and EMS care. The patients were removed and taken to local hospitals and the engine returned to service in about 20 minutes. Then around 1730 hours units were dispatched to the 5300 Blk of Lorraine Dr, in Company 29's area, for a house on fire. Engine 8 was on the air and requested to run and was granted permission. While enroute units were advised of shots fired and a possible domestic. Units arrived with heavy smoke in the area but had to stage until police cleared the scene. Once cleared, units came in and went to work on the heavy fire conditions. Engine 8 was originally tasked to protect the D exposure but were redirected to the second floor of the fire building. A task force was called to assist and Ambulance 88 came on the working fire dispatch. The suspicious fire was extinguished and a victim was found deceased suffering from a gunshot wound. Engine 8 cleared in about 2 hours and the ambulance a little while later as they assisted with rehab and removal of the body.