News

Gordy Road House Destroyed by Fire
Tuesday, May 18, 2004

On Friday April 30th at 16:14 hours the Laurel Fire Dept. Was alerted for a house fire on Gordy Road, southeast of Laurel. As part of mutual aid, Delmar, Gumboro and Sussex County EMS were also alerted.
Laurel Fire Chief Mark Sheridan responded as 81 Command and arrived to find a 2 story wood frame structure with smoke showing. The first responding engine was
81-4 with, Rescue Capt. Jim Furbush as officer. Command ordered Eng. #4 to drop a supply line at the end of the driveway and proceed to make an attack through the back door of the home. A quick knockdown was made by interior crews however it was evident that the fire had extended to the attic area of the house.
Eng./Tnk 81-5 arrives on scene with Asst. Chief Steve Brittingham as officer. They are ordered to pick up the supply line and have their crew assist with the interior attack. Eng./Tnk 74-2 arrives on scene with Dep. Chief Joe Morris, Sr., as officer and their crew advances a second line into the building. Rescue 81 arrived at the scene and were assigned ventilation. Truck 74 arrived on scene and backed into the driveway. They were ordered to set up for ventilation of the roof.
Incoming units from Gumboro were ordered to set up a R.I.T. Team. Command contacted Sussex E.O.C. and requested that Blades transfer an Engine to Sta. 81 for stand-by. The crew from Blades was transferred to the scene and Sharptown (Wicomico Sta. 14) was alerted to cover Sta. 81.
The fire was placed under control with extensive overhaul at 17:17 hours. At 17:31 hours Command was advised to stand-by for a second dispatch. A woods fire was reported on Arvey Road. Brush 81, 81-3 and units from Sharptown were alerted to respond. Units from Gumboro were also sent to the scene. Units arrived to find approximately 20 acres or woods and brush on fire. Georgetown was then alerted to stand-by at Laurel. Units worked at the scene of the woods fire for over 90 minutes to control the incident.

Article and picture Dwayne Chaffinch