| At 5:15 PM, Frederick County 911 dispatched units from both Frederick and Carroll Counties for a mobile home on fire with children trapped just after a storm had passed through the area. Units from Union Bridge responded quickly to 12424 Keymar Rd. in Frederick Co. Box 9-11.
EMS 8 (Brenda Burdette) was first to arrive on scene advising that there was heavy smoke and fire evident and that bystanders advised that children were trapped. She also advised that there was a locked gate at the entrance to the lane. Frederick Co. Chief 9 (Keller) also arrived at this time. He attempted to use his vehicle to bust through the gate but was unsuccessful.
Engine 81 arrived and Lt. 8-3 sent two firefighters to cut the lock on the gate while others on the unit began laying out 4" LDH Supply Line. Frederick Co. Engine 91 arrived right behind Engine 81 to pick up the Supply Line and Rescue Squad 8 followed Engine 81 back the nearly 1/4 mile long lane.
Engine 81 was able to only get within 300' of the structure which was located about 60' above them, on a hill. FF J. Gregory and FF C. Isanogle made way to the structure while other crew members began stretching a 3" line and a 'high-rise' pack up the hill. Frederick Co. Chief 9 authorized the two FF's to enter the structure on Side "C" and make a right-hand search in a part of the structure which was not on fire at the time. After entering, the FF's made about ten steps into the structure, when a flash-over occurred. Both FF's immediatly exited the structure. FF Gregory's heavily damaged gear was removed and he was soon transported to Frederick Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor burns.
Rescue Squad 8's crew arrived on Side "A"/"B" and observed heavy fire conditions to more than 80% of the structure. As the first hoseline was put in-service, crews began to knock-down the fire so that a search could be made, however, due to the extent of the fire, live electric wires on Side "C" and weak floors that firefighters fell through several times, the task of 'searching' took more time than usual. While crews were attempting to cover all areas of the structure to find the children, news came that they were safe in Frederick and not on the premises. The home was unoccupied at the time of the fire.
This news came as a great relief to the firefighters on the scene. From this point on, firefighters began to focus their efforts on extinguishing the fire. Weather temperatures and humidity were also severe and rehab was established as well as canteen services.
As the fire was extinguished with water and Class 'A' foam, crews assisted Frederick County Fire Marshal's with the investigation and removal of debris. After most of the units cleared from the scene, Frederick County Fire Marshals continued their investigation and no official cause has been determined at this time.
FF Gregory was treated and released from FMH while crews were still on the scene.
NOTE: "Flash-Over" - Simply stated, this phenomenon occurs when everything in a room becomes so hot, that a rapid 'flash of fire' engulfs everything in the room at the same time; smoke, furniture, carpet, walls, etc. This is a very dangerous situation for firefighters because the gear they wear protects them from heat and they may not immediately realize that the conditions are critical.
Station 8 was covered by an Engine from New Windsor.
Video and Slideshows can be viewed at:
WBAL-TV, http://www.wbaltv.com/newsarchive/24650872/detail.html
Frederick News Post, http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=108667 |
