House Fire in Frederick County
 
By Captain Christopher Harris
January 16, 2015
 

Frederick County Box 9-15. At 1500 hrs., Engine 81 and Engine/Tanker 82 were dispatched for a 'House Fire' at 12470 Woodsboro Pike (MD Route 194). FC Chief 18-1 advised of a working fire on his arrival and requested the "Rapid Intervention Dispatch". Rescue Squad 8 and Paramedic 89 were part of the "RID".

FC Engine 161 arrived and deployed an Attack Line to Side "A" and began to extinguish fire on the exterior of the structure. Engine 81 arrived soon after and deployed another Attack Line for the "RIT Line". FC Engine 161's crew went to the first floor, Engine 81's crew went to the second floor and Carroll Engine/Tanker 54's crew went to the attic. Engine/Tanker 82's crew also went to the second floor to assist Engine 81's crew.

As additional units arrived, Route 194 was shut down, water supply was established at the New Midway Fire Station and FC Quint 11 deployed ground ladders and the aerial platform. Crews used saws on both the interior and exterior of the structure to "open-up" and overhaul. The bulk of the fire was knocked down within 5 minutes. The type of construction proved challenging to all working crews. The house was a log house with aluminum siding over wood lap siding, attached to the original log construction, while the interior finish was plaster/lathe nailed to the logs and drywall covering the plaster. After about an hour of work, the fire was completely extinguished and units were placed in-service after their tasks were completed.

The fire appeared to have started in the wall, where a pellet stove pipe extended through the Side "B" wall. Damage was limited to the Side "A" and Side "B" corner interior rooms as well as the adjacent exterior portions of the structure. Family members were in the basement of the home at the time that a passer-by saw the fire and smoke. He quickly alerted the occupants, who were unaware of the fire. No one was injured in the incident.

Station 8 units returned to service at 1710 hrs. The incident is being investigated by the Frederick County Fire Marshal's Office.

Thanks to Gamber VFC (Engine 131) for covering our station during the incident.
 
Units: E-81, E/T-82, RS-8, PM-89, Chief 8-1, Lt. 8-2; FC Tanker 9 (New Midway), E/T-54, L-5, PM-59 (Taneytown), FC E-161, FC E-162 (Woodsboro), FC QT-11, FC E/T-114 (Walkersville), FC Sq-10 (Thurmont), FC Station 13 (Rocky Ridge), FC Station 6 (Emmittsburg)
 
FC Box 9-15. Crews overhaul Sides "A" and "B". Photo: Capt. C. Harris
FC Box 9-15. Crews overhaul Sides "A" and "B". Photo: Capt. C. Harris
FC Box 9-15. FC Quint-11's crew removes siding from the second floor exterior walls. Photo: Capt. C. Harris
FC Box 9-15. FC Quint-11's crew removes siding from the second floor exterior walls. Photo: Capt. C. Harris
 
FC Box 9-15. The fire was under control within 30 minutes. Photo: Capt. C. Harris
FC Box 9-15. The fire was under control within 30 minutes. Photo: Capt. C. Harris
FC Box 9-15. Construction at this century old home created extensive and difficult overhaul conditions. Photo: Capt. C. Harris
FC Box 9-15. Construction at this century old home created extensive and difficult overhaul conditions. Photo: Capt. C. Harris
 
FC Box 9-15. Water supply was quickly established, but a majority of the fire was extinguished with apparatus tank water. Photo: Capt. C. Harris
FC Box 9-15. Water supply was quickly established, but a majority of the fire was extinguished with apparatus tank water. Photo: Capt. C. Harris
FC Box 9-15. Crews removed the wall finish's and a few of the "logs" to extinguish the fire. No fire extended into the attic. Photo: FF C. Keeney
FC Box 9-15. Crews removed the wall finish's and a few of the "logs" to extinguish the fire. No fire extended into the attic. Photo: FF C. Keeney