Thrift Store Building Fire with Collapse

February 7, 0125 hours
reported by Chief Dan Stevens

At 0125 hours on February 7, Stations 3 and 12 were alerted for a commercial building fire at 2215 Crain Highway, the Waldorf Thrift Store. The call was immediately upgraded to a working fire based on additional 911 calls. E-32 and 33 arrived on the scene and reported a partial roof collapse with fire showing from the delta end of the 18,000 square foot store. E-32 positioned on Crain Highway and E-33 reversed laid to a hydrant 300 yards south of the scene. There was no access to the building parking lot because of the snow bank left from clearing Crain Highway. The fire hydrants were also buried. E-33 was able to locate the hydrant and dig it out. Chief 12B established the command and ordered an exterior attack. Hughesville established a water supply from the north and master streams were placed in service by ladder trucks from Clinton and Bryans Road. E-33 placed a portable monitor nozzle and a hand line in service and Hughesville periodically flowed a wagon pipe. Chief 3 assumed the command and Chief 12B assumed operations. Safety 12 was assigned safety, Duty 1 was assigned accountability and Chief 12A was assigned water supply. The parking lot for Mr. Tire was plowed by Waldorf's snowplow in an attempt to setup La Plata's truck on the bravo side of the building but this idea was abandoned due to the distance to the building and the limited effectiveness of the elevated streams. The bulk of the fire was under the pancaked roof sections. Units operated on the scene for about 5 hours. Because of the integrity of the building crews were not allowed into the structure to overhaul. The decision was made to curtail operations and return periodically to hit hotspots. Waldorf's snowplow was used to open the parking lot after the units had picked up. The Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office is investigating but no cause has been determined. One theory is that a roof collapse may have sparked the blaze. This building experienced a roof collapse during a snowstorm about 5 years ago. Southern Maryland Electric de-energized the feeder lines along Crain Highway for the duration of the incident. Charles County Public Works was called to shut water off to the building because of a broken and free flowing sprinkler riser.

Waldorf Units: Engine 32 and 33, Squad 3, Engine 121 and 123,
Ambulance 38 and 129, Chief 3, Chief 12A and 12B.