First Due House Fire
Boysenberry Ct.

May 24, 2007 - 1514 hours
reported by Deputy Chief DJ Mills

On Thursday evening Waldorf Volunteers, along with surrounding companies, were alerted to Boysenberry Ct. for the House on fire. E-31, Truck-3 and Chief 3B responded with 8 volunteers. While enroute, a large column of smoke could be seen from Crain Hwy and Berry Rd. Chief 3B requested the working fire assignment and for Station 12 to bring both engines. Units arrived on scene to find a two story house with fire showing from the first floor, second floor, and the entire rear porch.

E-31 advanced the first of many 1-¾" hand lines to be used to the first floor. Truck 3 began throwing ladders and ventilating the house while Chief 3B established the Boysenberry Command. Command advised Chief 12-A to take Division 1 while Safety 3 had safety and EMS Capt-12 had the EMS sector. Once Chief 3 arrived on scene command was transferred and Chief 3B took Division 2. As more units arrived on scene, all were put to work with a total of 10 1-¾" hand lines in use. E-31 was supplying 8 of the 10.

As the units were operating, a member from Co. 1 found a fireman in distress and radioed for help. As the members from Co. 1 were removing the downed fireman, members from 3 and 11 joined in and assisted. The injured fireman was transported to the Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. As crews were rotating out of the house, safety advised that the house was deteriorating in structural stability and advised all units to evacuate the house. After all companies left the house the house collapsed in on itself. Once this happened Truck 3 and Tower 24 used master stream devices to finish putting out hot spots in the debris pile. Two fire fighters were transported from the scene however were released later that night. Chief 3 held the Boysenberry Command and units cleared in 3 hours.

Waldorf Units: E-31, Trk-3, E-34, E-122, E-121, U-3, U-12, CU-3, Chiefs 3, 3A, 3B, and 12A, Ambulances 37, 399, 39, and PMA-128, Saftey-3 EMS Capt-12

Mutual Aide: E-112, Twr-24, RS-7, E-11, E-23, E-102, EMS Chief-16, EMS Duty-16 and Medic-608

Other Agencies: Washington Gas, SMECO, MSFMO C.C.S.O.

Thanks to Hollywood Truck 7 and Newberg E-143 for filling in at Station 3 and E-83 for Filling in at Station 12