Thursday July 8, 2010 at 1445 hours, Chief 6 (Riffe), Chief 6A (Montgomery), Chief 6B (Thrasher), Chief 6C (Morris), Engine 61 (Williams), Squad 6 (Lt Buckler), Tanker 6 (Nicholson), Car 6 (Montgomery Jr), Utility 6 (Wells), Jeep 6 (Osbourn) and Ambulance 68 (Donohue) were alerted for the House Fire at 5811 Sunderland Court.
Units arrived on location of the 2 story residence with fire showing. Engine 61 and Engine 51 advanced two attack lines (one to the 1st floor and one to the Basement). Crews encountered zero visibility and high heat conditions due to the rapid growing fire now covering the basement, 1st floor and 2nd floor.
Due to deteroriating conditions and a flashover that occured, all crews were forced to evacuate the building. Within 45 seconds of the crews being pulled from the house, a section of the floor on Side B fell into the basement. As other units arrived on scene the fire was put in check defensively with multiple handlines. Once the fire was knocked down considerably, crews regrouped and re-entered to finish knocking the stubborn fire down.
This fireground had over 65 Firefighters on scene due to the temperature reaching in excess of 100 degrees outside, and all companies played an important role in this fire from rehab to fire suppression. Units remained on scene for 4 hours hitting hotspots, performing overhaul, and assisting the Fire Investigator.
A special thank-you to the always supportive Chesapeake Grille and Deli and Dunkirk McDonalds for providing copious amounts of food and refreshments to the Fireground. During the fire, St Leonard Engine 71, Hughesville Tanker 81 and Waldorf Squad 3 filled-in at the Huntingtown VFD.
All pictures courtesy of member, Dennis Hook: www.DennisHook.smugmug.com
