News

House Fire - Trussom Pond Rd
Monday, March 1, 2004

On Saturday afternoon, February 28th, at 13:40 hours, Laurel Fire Dept. was alerted for a house fire on Trussum Pond Road, w/o Sussex Hwy. As part of mutual aid, Delmar Fire Dept., Gumboro Fire Co., and Sussex County Medic 102 were also alerted as it was reported as a working fire.

Deputy Chief Mike Lowe responded as 81 Command. Asst. Chief Kevin Ritchie was in the area and advised Lowe that he was on scene of a 2 ½ story wooden frame structure with heavy smoke visible. All residents were reported to be out of the structure, however, a family pet dog was still inside.

The first responding Engine was 81-4 with Rescue Capt. Jim Furbush as officer. Upon arrival, Lowe designated Asst. Chief Ritchie as Operations Officer and Capt. Furbush as responsible for the interior. A 1 ¾? attack line was advanced through the rear door as the heaviest fire was upstairs in the house.

Tower 81 was next on scene with Asst. Chief Keith LeCates as officer. Their crew was assigned roof ventilation and quickly placed the Tower in service to the roof.

Engine/Tanker 81-5 arrived on scene with Asst. Chief Steve Brittingham and established water supply to Eng. #4. Their crew advanced a second attack line into the structure.

Truck 74 arrived on scene with Chief Jack Morris, Jr. as officer. Their crew was ordered to proceed to the rear of the structure and begin a manpower pool to relieve firefighters inside the structure.

Eng. 74-2 arrived on scene with Dep. Chief Joe Morris, Sr. Their crew established ventilation and laddered the house. Eng. 79-4 came on scene from Gumboro with Chief Mike LaCurts, who was assigned to set up R.I.T. Tanker 79 assisted with water supply.

Interior crews found the pet dog in an upstairs bedroom. The dog was still alive and brought outside to the relief of the family who were, being cared for by neighbors.

The house fire was determined by the Fire Marshal to be electrical in origin.