3rd Alarm Fire with MAYDAY on 5800 Little Road with Firefighter Rescues
By Chief Jonathan Riffe
January 20, 2010
Wednesday January 20, 2010 at approximately 1315 hours, units from Dunkirk VFD and North Beach VFD were alerted to 5800 Little Road in Anne Arundel County (42-14 box) for the house fire. First arriving Anne Arundel FD units arrived on location of a two-story single family residence with fire showing. Dunkirk VFD Engine 52 arrived on location and began to advance through the front door with a charged handline. Due to a well developed fire in the basement, the 1st floor had collapsed through just a few feet inside the doorway (unknown to firefighters). The crew from Engine 52 fell into the large hole and were sent into the basement where heavy fire conditions were encountered. Immediately, a MAYDAY was declared. Dunkirk VFD Engine 51 and the Upper Marlboro VFD deployed an extension ladder into the basement hole and were able to successfully remove the firefighers. Fortunately when the firefighters were sent into the basement, they were able to remain in contact with the hoseline/nozzle and opened it up to provide a water curtain and without question prevent any serious injuries/death.
Upon relay of the MAYDAY, Chief 6 (Riffe) and Dunkirk Chief 5A (Holzberger) responded to the scene for assistance. Chief 6 arrived on location and was initially assigned to the Command Post to assist with the Incident Management & Accountability Board. Shortly after, Chief 6 and Annapolis Truck 35 were assigned to Division 2 where fire was found in two rooms and in the attic. During the incident, crews worked for over 2 hours working the stubborn fire and were also evacuated several times due to uncertainty of the stability of the structure.
One firefighter was transported to Calvert Memorial Hospital. A 2nd firefighter was air-lifted to Medstar in Washington DC. Both firefighters are recovering and are expected to make a full recovery. Chief 6 operated on the fireground for three hours. During the incident, several crews remained in quarters. Engine 62 transferred to Dunkirk VFD and later moved to North Beach VFD. Tanker 6 responded on a gas leak in St Leonard's first due. Ambulance 68 responded on a seperate medical. Prince Frederick VFD Engine 22 transferred to our quarters.
