News

House Fire - Belle Ave
Tuesday, March 11, 2008

On March the 10th the at approx. 1503 hours the Laurel, Delmar, and Sharptown Fire Departments, along with SCEMS (102) were dispatched for a structure fire on Belle Avenue in town. Deputy Chief Jeff Hill arrived on scene to find a 1 ½ story house with fire showing from the rear.

E-2 arrived on scene with Asst. Chief Schweitzer and a crew of 4. They were advised by command to hit the near-by hydrant. Asst. Chief Schweitzer and crew made a defensive attack in the rear knocking down the fire enough to enter the structure. Firefighters Morris and Layton made quick work in extinguishing most of the fire. Tower 81 arrived with Captain Chaffinch and a crew of 4 and was advised by command to pull a second hose line and assist the interior crew.

At this time Asst. Chief Schweitzer assumed operations and Chaffinch became interior. E/T 74-2 (Delmar) arrived and crew assisted in interior operations. Truck 14 (Sharptown) arrived with Asst. Chief White and they went to work opening up the roof. Blades was called to the scene due to manpower shortages and crew was assigned RIT. Georgetown was dispatched to stand-by in Laurel while units worked the house fire.

Deputy Chief Hill was able to place the incident under control at 1529 hours. While firefighters were moping up and overhauling Laurel was dispatched for a MVC. Blades unit was able to clear the scene along with our BLS unit to assist Georgetown with that incident. Despite the efforts from firefighters the house suffered extensive damage throughout. The cause is under investigation at this time. Last 81 units were placed into service at 1628 hours.

Units on scene: Laurel Command 81, E-2, Tower 81, Rescue 81, A-81, Delmar E/T 74-2, Rescue 74, Sharptown Truck 14, 1404. Blades 71-9, SCEMS 102, FM 16, LPD, DSFP.
Engine 77-2 for Cover-up in Laurel.

Photos provided by Steve Bradley NREMT-P