First due fire in Company 12's area

July 5, 0041 hrs
reported by Deputy Chief 12, John Stewart

Units were alerted for a reported working house fire at 8505 Abell Way, in the Laurel Branch sub-division of Company 12's first due area. RE-121 responded with 4 volunteers. First arriving units reported a working fire with fire showing through the roof on the B-Bravo side. The officer of Rescue Engine 121 (Tunney) established the Abell Way command until the arrival of Duty Officer 12 (Capt. 12, Jacobs).

Crews from E-121 and E-242 advanced attack lines to the second floor and started to extinguish the fire. Truck 3 arrived with 7 volunteers and split the crew into 2 crews. T-3's interior crew assisted the attack teams by opening up and performed a primary search, which was negative. T-3's exterior crew threw six ladders, ran eight lights, three fans, and ventilated from the outside. Bryans Road (E-112) assisted with extinguishment and opening up on the second floor. Potomac Heights (Rescue Squad 7) assisted with the primary search, performed the secondary search, and assisted with opening up the second floor.

The responding units made a very aggressive interior attack on the fire, saving the majority of the second floor, the fire was extinguished in approximately 25 minutes. Command held Engine Co's 12 and 24, T-3 and RS-7 to perform an extensive overhaul. Units cleared at 0332 hours. There were a few minor injuries to firefighters, however no one was transported to the hospital.

The Maryland State Fire Marshall's Office investigated the fire, preliminary results indicate that the fire was electrical in nature.

Waldorf units on scene: Rescue Engine-121, Engine-122 (6 vol's), Engine-124 (2 vol's), B-12 (2 vol's), Duty Officer-12, Ambulance's 128, Truck-3, Utility-3, Ambulance 37, and Safety-3

Mutual Aide units on scene: Accokeek E-242, Bryans Road E-112, Potomac Height's Rescue Squad 7, Allentown Road E-472,

Thank you to Marbury VFD, and Bel Alton VFD for filling in at Station 12.