Box 5-1. At 15:34 hours, Engine 81, Rescue Squad 8 and Command Support 8 were dispatched to assist Station 5 for a ‘Building Fire with Rescue” at 131 W. Baltimore Street in Taneytown. The initial dispatch advised of a fire in the attic with a child in that area of the structure. Paramedic 59 was first to arrive at 15:36 hours and advised of smoke from the attic area on Side D of a 2 story Duplex residential. They also confirmed entrapment. The paramedic made an attempt at rescue, but was forced out by heavy smoke and high heat conditions.

Ladder 5 and Engine 111 arrived at nearly the same time and conducted the rescue and initial attack on the fire. The “Rapid Intervention Dispatch” was requested at 15:42 hours. Frederick County Tower 6 arrived and Frederick Co. Captain 6 assumed “Command 5”, with all-hands from Station 5 and 11 units working the fire. Adams County Engine 201 laid supply line to Engine/Tanker 54 and Engine 81 arrived and covered the hydrant for Engine/Tanker 54. Command Support 8 assisted “Command 5” with command duties, while Rescue Squad 8 arrived and staged.

Engine/Tanker 84 and Medic 89 were dispatched as part of the “RID” assignment. The fire was “knocked down” by 15:50 hours. Medic 89 assisted with “Firefighter Rehab”. Engine/Tanker 84 was cleared from the scene and transferred to Station 5.

One victim was removed from the building and placed into a waiting Paramedic Unit. As other units arrived, additional searches were conducted in both units of the duplex and no other victims were found. Firefighters also contained and extinguished the remaining fire within 20 minutes. Tragically, the victim was unable to be revived.

After about 45 minutes, “Command 5” released most of the units still on-scene. Units from Station 5 and 11 remained on-scene with the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office for several of hours. The incident is under investigation by the MSFMO. Station 8 were in-service at 17:49 hours.

Departments On-Scene: Station 5 (Taneytown); Station 11 (Harney); Station 8 (Union Bridge); Adams Co. Station 20 (Littlestown); Frederick Co. Station 6 (Emmitsburg); Station 6 (Pleasant Valley); Station 3 (Westminster); MSFMO; Taneytown Police; MD Medical Examiner; Potomac Edison

Engine/Tanker 84 returned to the station after the transfer to Station 5 at 19:22 hours.

News Report: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUBS_6gqAHk