Passer-by Spots House Fire

Box 8-10. At around 0100 hrs, a couple traveling on Route 75 between Union Bridge and New Windsor, spotted fire on the side of a house near Shepards Mill Rd and called '911'. Units were dispatched to the area of Shepards Mill Rd and Ladiesburg Rd for the house fire at 0104 hrs. As 'Chief 8' (C. Green) and other units responded, they were advised that the correct address of the incident was 4450 Ladiesburg Rd.

"Portable 8" (D. Nelson) arrived on location advising of a fire on the back of the house. He requested the "Working Fire Dispatch" and then advised they were getting the resident out of the house. The occupant was in the second floor bedroom, asleep, and was awakened by first responders. He was uninjured. Nelson also requested that Maryland Midland Railroad be contacted immediately to stop an eastbound train coming from Union Bridge, since the residence is located on the opposite side of the railroad tracks from the road.

On arrival, Chief 8 assumed "Ladiesburg Command" and began delegating unit assignments. He also advised all incoming units that the eastbound train had stopped just prior to the address and that the 'first-in engine' could cross the tracks. Engine 101 arrived, proceeded across the tracks and pulled the initial attack line, then proceeded to Side "C" as directed by 'Chief 10' (T. Coe). Engine 81 arrived as crews were pulling the attack line and proceeded to the only entrance door on Side "A" to determine the need for another line. At this point, it was determined that the fire was located on the exterior of the house on either side of the chimney and was quickly extinguished.

After several minutes of searching, it was determined that there were no other occupants and there was no extension of fire or smoke into any other areas of the house. "Ladiesburg Command" held the incident with Station 8, 10 and Ladder 5.

Crews removed burned materials from the structure, cleaned out the woodstove and used foam to insure that any hidden "hot spots" were extinguished. After overhaul was completed, the crew from Ladder 5 proceeded to cover the opened areas of the structure to reduce any additional environmental type damage.

The fire was determined to have started by conductive heat from the masonry chimney onto combustible materials in the exterior wall. No injuries were reported. Though a smoke detector was in the house, the detector was inoperative. All units cleared the scene at around 0330 hrs.

Thanks to Engine/Tanker 54 for covering Station 8 during the incident.