LVRS - February 2008

Laurel House Fire

Firefighters from Laurel and surrounding communities waged a fierce battle against a raging fire in a single family home on Saturday, February 28, 2009. Fire/EMS units from Laurel and Beltsville as well as units from Howard, Anne Arundel and Montgomery Counties were alerted at about 7:45 PM and arrived quickly at 34 Fourth Street to find a 2-story home with heavy fire and smoke coming from the house.

Additional resources were called to the scene bringing Fire/EMS units from Branchville, Greenbelt and Bowie (Old Town) to the scene. A total of about fifty firefighters/EMT's and paramedics operated on the scene. Firefighters, volunteer and career and from multiple jurisdictions, worked well as a team in bringing this fire under control and having the bulk of the fire knocked down within 30 minutes after their arrival. It required another hour to overhaul the interior of the house before the fire was completely extinguished.

A firefighter, an adult male, suffered a potential medical emergency and was transported to an area hospital where he has been admitted. One civilian was treated on the scene for an asthma attack, however, did not require transportation to the hospital.

The fire appears to have started in the basement of the house and extended up through the first and second floors and eventually the roof. The cause of the fire is under investigation and fire loss is estimated at $150,000. The Department's Citizen Services Unit assisted three occupants of the house with temporary shelter.

First Due House Fire

Sunday, February 22, 2009. Just after 1600 RE849 was alerted to 8402 Oak Stream Dr. for a house fire. RE849 responded with 5 volunteers as well as Chief 849A and 849B. RE849 arrived on the scene with light smoke showing from the garage. The crew stretched a hand line through the front door and quickly extinguished the fire which originated from a dryer with a little extension to the wall. Units cleared in half an hour.

Rescue Engine goes to Howard

Friday, February 20, 2009. At approximately 0230 Rescue Engine 849 was alerted to 7245 Cedar ave, for the Fire Task Force in Savage. The Rescue Engine arrived as the 5th arriving engine securing their own hydrant on Side Charlie. Rescue Engine 849 stretched 2 1/2 inch line to the rear of the house and assisted in exterior operations due to floor collapse inside the house. There was one firefighter injury, but is expected to be fine. The Rescue Engine cleared in about 2 1/2 hours.

Anne Arundel County Car Crash

On the evening of Feb 14, RE849 was dispatched for the crash in AA Co. SQ849 and CH849A (as Batt 6) were "Special Called" when the driver was reported as trapped.

Working Fire

Thursday, February 12, 2009. Just before 5:30 AM, crews from LVRS were dispatched to a reported fire at 7400 Van Dusen Road. Rescue Engine 49 arrived on scene as the first due engine to find a remotely located, vacant, 1-story, approximately 50X50 structure, with fire showing from the roof. Crews from LVRS and Beltsville VFD aggressively attempted an interior attack. During the initial attack, a dead hydrant prevented a secure water supply. After backing out of the vacant structure and securing water supply, the crews went back in to put the fire out. Many void spaces and high winds kept the crew working on hot spots till almost 8am.