Thunderstorm Produces 2 Simultaneous
House Fires in the Bannister Neighborhood

June 10, 2004 1853 hrs:

Units from Waldorf were alerted for a possible house fire on Powell Court. Engine 33 and Chief 3B arrived on scene to find a 1-story single-family residence with heavy smoke showing from the attic vents on both sides of the house. Engine 33's crew located the bulk of the fire in the attic area above kitchen, dining room, and living room. The fire was quickly knocked down with the 1-¾" handline. Engine 122 and La Plata Truck 1 assisted with opening up ceiling and ventilating the roof. The remaining units on the assignment were placed in service and rerouted to Reeves Place for a 2nd house fire. The cause of the fire was believed to be from a lightning strike to the residence.

Waldorf Responding Units: Engine 33, Engine 121 , Engine 122, Ambulance 38, & Chief 3B.

Mutual Aid Units: La Plata Truck 1, Brandywine Engine 402 with Ambulance 409, & Hughesville Squad 2 & Engine 22.

June 10, 2004 1905 hrs:

While units were extinguishing the fire on Powell Court, a 2nd house fire was dispatched for Reeves Place just a few blocks away. Engine 121 arrived on the scene of a 2-story Residential Triplex with fire showing from a 2nd floor window. The crew advanced a 1-¾" crosslay into the residence and found a small fire in the window of a bedroom. The fire was quickly knocked down and no extension was found into the rest of the structure. The cause of the fire was believed to be accidental and also a result of the storm.

Waldorf Responding Units: Engine 32, Rescue Squad 3, Engine 121, Ambulance 38, Ambulance 399, Ambulance 129, Chief 12B, and Chief 3.

Mutual Aid Units: La Plata Engine 11, Brandywine Engine 402 with Ambulance 409, Baden Engine 362, Accokeek Tower 24, Hughesville Squad 2, Engine 22, & Engine 23, and Bryans Road Truck 11.