Working House Fire in Sentry Woods

August 25, 2003 1144hrs:

Units from Waldorf were alerted for a possible townhouse fire on White Fir Court in the Sentry Woods subdivision. Chief 3B, DJ Mills, arrived on the scene minutes later with smoke showing from the eves of a 2-story quadraplex. Chief 3B made a quick walk-around where he found a moderate amount of fire showing from the attic area. Engine 33, under the command of Captain Ryan Pagel, arrived on scene and took position on Side 4 to allow room for the first arriving truck company. The crew advanced a 200ft 1-3/4" attack line to the interior, which had to be extended with a 50ft section from the Officer's Aide bag. Engine 31 picked up E-33's 3" supply line and established the water supply. Together, the crews from E-33 and E-31 gained access to the attic with a 10ft attic ladder and extinguished the fire. Engine 122 established a secondary water supply as La Plata Truck 1 took position on Side 1 and laddered the structure. E-122 was assigned to check the exposures with Brandywine Squad 40 and Hughesville Engine 23, while Truck 1 provided manpower to open up the second floor of the unit on fire. The fire was contained to the attic area of the original residence with no extension to the other attached units. The Maryland State Fire Marshals Office investigated the fire and determined that a faulty ceiling fan caused the fire. Chief 3B had overall Command, Captain 3 had the interior, and La Plata Chief 1 had Operations. Units were held on scene for two hours to perform overhaul.

Responding Units: Chief 3B, Engine 33, Engine 31, Engine 122, Hughesville Engine 23, Baden Engine 363, La Plata Truck 1 and Chief 1, Brandywine Squad 40, Accokeek Tower 24, and Ambulance 399