Smoke Investigation Leads
to Working House Fire

August 2, 2003 1404hrs:

Units from Waldorf Fire 3 were dispatched for a smoke investigation at the end of Raby Road. As Engine 33 and Brush 3 were responding to the location, a large column of black smoke could be seen from miles away. Once at the end of Raby Road, units found the road blocked by several concrete barriers. Sgt Ben Jenkins and F/F Scott Sefton proceeded on foot to the top of the hill where they found a small abondoned house fully involved in fire. As Sgt Jenkins radioed for the structure fire assignment, F/Fs David Klinikowski, Roy Moore, and James Thorne advanced a 400' 1 3/4" attack line to the structure. The crew quickly knocked the bulk of the fire down and contained it to the structure until water ran out. Engine 31 reversed layed a 3" supply line to a fire hydrant back down Raby Road but found it was out of service. As E-31 continued to the next hydrant, Engine 122, Tanker 12, and Accokeek Engine 241 arrived on scene and suppied E-33 until a good water supply was established. Crews from Waldorf 3/12, along with Accokeek, La Plata , and Bryans Road worked for over 2 hours on overhauling the remains of the structure. The Maryland State Fire Marshall's office responded to the scene to investigate. The cause is undetermined at this time.

Units Responding: Engine 33, Engine 31, Brush 3, Engine 122, Engine 241 (Accokeek), Engine 112 (Bryans Road), Truck 1 (La Plata), Squad 40 (Brandywine), Tanker 12, Tanker 1 (La Plata), Tanker 36 (Baden), Ambulance 399, and Chief 3 Dan Stevens.