House Fire on Tommy Middleton Lane

February 6, 0801 hrs
reported by PIO/Lt. Jeff Duer

Firefighters from Engine Companies 3 & 12 were sent to work in temperatures well below freezing for a working house fire on Tommy Middleton Lane. Engine 31 arrived reporting a one-story single family dwelling with heavy smoke showing. Engine 31's crew advanced a pre-connected 200' 1¾" attack line, commencing interior operations. Crews located fire throughout the structure with the exception of one room. Engine 122 and Tanker 12 arrived, establishing the water supply. Engine 122's crew placed a backup line in service and conducted the secondary search. All searches were negative. Truck 1 (La Plata) opened up the structure and roof. Remaining units staged in line of approach. Chief Stevens had the Command, Lt. B. Jenkins with Operations. The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office. Damage was estimated to be in excess of $150,000.

Additional units: Eng 22, Tanker 2, PGFD Rescue Squad 40 and Engine 361, Southern Maryland Electric Co-op, and the American Red Cross Charles County Chapter.