Working House Fire
in the Dorchester Subdivision

August 3, 2003 1205 hrs:

Units from Waldorf responded for a reported house fire on Flagfish Ct. Engine 31, under the command of Captain Ryan Pagel, radioed as they were crossing over Smallwood Drive and Crain Highway that they could see a large column of smoke coming from the Dorchester neighborhood. Minutes later, Engine 31 arrived on the scene of a two story split level home with heavy fire showing from the 2nd floor and roof. As E-31's crew advanced a 1 3/4" attack line into the residence, Truck 3, lead by F/F Mike Fischer, arrived on scene and placed ground ladders to all the 2nd floor windows before putting the 100' stick into operation. Engine 121, under the command of Lt. Joey Huntt, arrived on the scene and pulled a second 1 3/4" line into the structure to assist E-31. Aggressive interior firefighting quickly brought the fire under control within 10 minutes. Word came from the homeowners that their cat was missing and still believed to be inside. After a few tense moments, Captain Pagel emerged from the residence with the missing family pet. Crews from Waldorf 3/12, along with La Plata Truck 1 remained on scene for 2 hours overhauling the residence. Chief 3 Dan Stevens was the incident commander and Chief 3A Clark Embrey had operations. The fire is believed to be accidental but still under investigation.

Units Responding: Engine 121, Engine 124, Engine 31, Truck 3, Engine 112 and 113 (Bryans Road), Truck 1 (La Plata), Squad 40 (Brandywine), Squad 7 (Potomac Heights), Ambulance 128, Ambulance 399, Ambulance 518, Chief 3 Dan Stevens, and Chief 3B Clark Embrey.