Working Building Fire on Irongate Drive

December 19, 1617 hours

Units from Waldorf and surrounding areas were alerted for a reported kitchen fire at #14 Irongate Drive. While going enroute, Engine 33 advised they could see smoke in the area. Engine 33 arrived on scene to find a one-story commercial warehouse-type structure with smoke showing from the roof eaves. Engine 33's crew advanced a 1-¾" handline to the front door of the end unit to find the occupancy fully charged with black smoke and zero visibility. E-33's crew made entry and found the fire pushing into the main hallway from the kitchen. Squad 3 arrived on scene and immediately began working on removing the 2 front windows and setting up lights. Engine 121 arrived on scene and picked up E-33's split lay to the hydrant. E-121's crew advanced a second back-up attack line into the building. The bulk of the fire was knocked down within minutes, however due to the lack of windows to vent, all the heat and smoke was trapped inside. Squad 3's crew immediately cut 2 ventilation holes in the roof. Additional units on scene began checking for extension into the other occupancies and found light smoke conditions in the neighboring business. With the fire knocked down and a large amount of exposed wiring hanging down on the crews, Chief 3 ordered all units from the building until the power could be secured and ventilation completed. Once SMECO secured the power, units on scene stoodby for the MD State Fire Marshal to arrive. Command scaled the incident back to Co 3, 12, Truck 11, and Squad 2. After the initial Fire Marshal's investigation was completed, units on scene completed the overhaul of the building and packed up.

While units were still on scene of the fire, Waldorf Rescue Engine 123 and Newburg Engine 143 (Fill-in for Fire 3) responded for a reported motor vehicle collision with people trapped at Middletown Road and McDaniel Road.

Waldorf Units: Engine 33, Engine 121, Squad 3, Truck 3, Ambulance 39, Chief 3B, Safety 3, and Chief 3.

Mutual Aid Units: La Plata Engine 11, Bryans Road Truck 11, Hughesville Squad 2, Brandywine Rescue Engine 840, Baden Engine 836, and MD State Fire Marshal.