Fatal House Fire

August 9, 0827 hours
reported by Fire 3 Deputy Chief D.J. Mills

On Saturday morning, units from Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department Companies 3 and 12 were alerted to Breezy Point Ct for a house on fire with 1 trapped. As units were responding communications advised that County Police were on the scene with one confirmed trapped in the basement and fire showing from the basement window. Engine 31 arrived on the scene and laid out from the corner and deployed a 1 ¾" attack line to the basement area. Chief 3B arrived on the scene next and assumed the Sheffield Command and designated Chief 1 as the Basement Division with Engine 31, Engine 11, and Truck 1 working in the basement. Chief 12 A was assigned to Division 1 with Engine 121 and Rescue Squad 2 operating on the first floor. Rescue Engine 840 was assigned to Division 2 to check for any upward extension and found none. Engine 31 located an unconscious victim in the basement and worked tirelessly with Truck 1 to try and remove the victim up the narrow stairwell which was the only means of ingress and egress. Several efforts were made to remove the victim however were unsuccessful due to the victim’s size. While the rescue efforts were being made Engine 836 rotated with Engine 11’s and 31’s crews to keep the fire from extending up the stairwell. There was some extension into division 1 and the garage area that was kept in check with the units operating in division 1. Engine 22 was assigned as the R.I.T and another special service (TWR 824) was requested to assist units on the fire ground. Chief 3B held the Command for the duration of the incident with EMS Safety 12 operating as the Safety Officer. The fire is still under investigation by the Maryland State Fire Marshalls Office.

Waldorf Units: E-31, RS-3, E-121, C-3B, C-12A, EMS C-3A, EMS Safety 12, and Amb-399.

Mutual Aide: E-11, E-22, RE-840, E-836, Trk-1, RS-2, Twr-824, P.G. Batt 7, and EMS Duty 16B.

Other Agencies: C.C.S.O, MSP, MSFMO, ATF, Red Cross, SMECO, Washington Gas.