Box Alarm 8. At 2330hrs, units were dispatched to 20 S. Main Street in Union Bridge for a building fire. Captain 8 (Harris) arrived at 2335hrs and updated the status to heavy fire showing from the second floor on Side “Alpha” of a 3 story apartment building and established “Main Street Command”. He also confirmed the “RIT” assignment and advised the first engine that a hydrant was directly across from the structure. (Chief 8 (Green) had already contacted “Carroll” via cellphone and requested the “RIT” assignment.) At this point, it had not been confirmed if the building had been evacuated.

Upon arrival of Engine/Tanker 84 at 2336hrs, Lt 8-2 (Marble) and the crew deployed an 1 3/4" handline to Side “Delta” where the entrance to the “fire” floor was located and began an aggressive fire attack. As other units and personnel arrived, additional handlines were deployed and ladders were thrown for egress. E101 brought a second hydrant supply to Side “Alpha” with B-105 covering the hydrant. Ladder 5 positioned on Side “Alpha” as well. Engine/Tanker 54 was assigned to Side “Charlie” but there was no access to the rear for a Truck Company. Other units that arrived at the scene were staged near the incident and crews were staged at the front of the structure for assignments as needed.

At 2344hrs., ‘Command’ reported the fire ‘knocked’, checking for extension; and that all occupants had been accounted for, with no rescue needed. It was also confirmed at this point, that the structure was actually 4 stories (smoke and fire obscured the original report).

The fire was placed “Under Control” at 0007hrs after crews had confirmed that all fire had been extinguished. Crews continued to conduct salvage and overhaul activities after the fire marshal had conducted his initial investigation. It was determined that there were only 3 apartments in the building; a first floor apartment and then two apartments above with 3 floors each. A total of 15 people were displaced by the incident. One firefighter was transported to Carroll Hospital Center with a leg injury, but none of the occupants were injured. Red Cross was on-scene to assist the occupants of the building.

The last units cleared the scene at 0309hrs. The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office, with heavy fire damage to one apartment and smoke/water damage to the other apartments.

Units On-Scene: E/T-84, RS-8, M-89, Capt. 8, Chief 8-1 (Union Bridge); E-101, B-105, PM-109, CS-10 (New Windsor); L-5, E/T-54, PM-59 (Taneytown); TW-3 (Westminster), Frederick County E-171 (Libertytown); Frederick County RS-16 (Woodsboro); Frederick County Battalion 902; FM-31 (MSFMO); Red Cross; Potomac Edison