Box 10-1. At 1651 hrs., Station 10 was dispatched for an investigation of a column of black smoke near Jo Apter Place, just outside of New Windsor. About 6 minutes later, Box 10-1 was sounded for a house fire on Hawks Hill Road. Engine 101 arrived at 19:02 hrs with the correct address of 3500 Hawk Hill Road and confirmed a "Working Fire". A "Tanker Task Force" was immediately requested since the closest hydrant was more than a 1/2 mile away and the lane leading back to the residence was more than 1500 feet long.
As Engine 101 approached the house, they advised they had a 2 story wood frame structure heavily involved, with a barn, garages, sheds and woods as exposures. "Hawks Hill Road Command" was established. A "2nd Alarm" was requested and dispatched at 1705 hrs.
Initial crews began to attack though the front door, but were unable to advance due to the heavy fire. The crew was pulled out and the 'evacuation tones' were ordered. "Command" then advised that the incident would be operating in a "Defensive" mode with the structure now 100% involved.
As other crews arrived, various hoselines and master streams were placed in-service around the house to knock down the fire, primarily in locations to reduce any potential exposure hazards from catching on fire. Many hazards and exposures were present including 2 downed power lines on Side 'B' and 'D', as well as the potential for building collapse, a 300 gallon heating oil tank on Side 'B', multiple sheds and garages, the wooded area around the house and a barn located less than 100 feet away.
A water supply was established with Chief 6 assigned as "Water Supply". Potomac Edison was requested due to the downed and energized power lines on the fire ground. After about an hour, the power had been shut-off and crews could then extinguish the remaining fire. An estimated 30,000 gallons of water or more, was used to extinguish the fire.
The fire was placed "Under Control" at 1757 hrs. with crews continuing to work to extinguish the remaining flames and to conduct 'overhaul'. FM 33 was also on location to begin the investigation. Class 'A' foam was used to complete the operation. Sadly, the home was a total loss with only portions of the front of the house standing. No other exposures were affected by the fire.
No one was home at the time of the fire and there were no injuries reported. The last units cleared the scene by 2040 hrs. The fire remains under investigation by the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office.
Note: Many of the units listed in the 'Mutual Aid' box below were rerouted to cover/transfer to stations depleted during the initial alarm.
Thanks to L-5 for covering Station 8.
Units:
E-81, RS-8, E/T-82, B-85, U-8, PM-89
Mutual Aid:
E-101, E-102, B-105, PM-109, U-10-1 (New Windsor), E-31, E-33, TW-3, CS-3, M-37 (Westminster), E-141, E-142, Ta-14 (Winfield), E-61, E-63, Ta-6 (Pleasant Valley), E/T-54, L-5 (Taneytown), E-91, RS-9 (Reese), FC RS-16 (Woodsboro), FC E-171, E-172, Ta-17, B-175 (Libertytown), Ta-1 (Mt. Airy), FC Ta-9 (New Midway), Tk-2 (Hampstead), AU-7 (Lineboro), E/T-44 (Manchester), FC Battalion 902, FM-33, Potomac Edison, Carroll County Sheriff's Office, Carroll County Roads
Crews work to get water supply and setup multiple "Defensive" hoselines. Photo: FF T. Shuster
Crews get their water and begin their "Defensive Attack" on the structure and exposures. Photo: FF T. Shuster
The porch and some of the structure begin to collapse. Photo: FF T. Shuster
FF's are trying to protect the heating oil tank on Side 'B'. Photo: FF T. Shuster
The entire structure was 100% involved within 10 minutes after the arrival of E-101. Photo: FF T. Shuster
When crews arrived, it was unknown if there were occupants. The initial fire attack backed out as the entire home became engulfed. Photo: FF T. Shuster
"Defensive" operations begin to make headway toward extinguishment. Side 'D'. Photo: FF T. Shuster
The crew on Side 'D'. A chimney collapse zone toward Side 'A' and a power wire at the corner of Side 'C/D' gave little room for crews to maneuver their hoselines. Photo: FF T. Shuster
Side 'D'. Photo: FF T. Shuster
With a majority of the fire knocked down, the fire was placed "Under Control". Photo: FF T. Shuster
Side 'A'. Photo: FF T. Shuster
Side 'B'. FF T. Shuster
Side 'B/C'. Crews begin overhaul. No structure was left in the area except for the foundation. Photo: FF T. Shuster
Side 'B/C'. Crews remove tin and some debris to extinguish the fire. Photo: FF T. Shuster
Side 'B/C'. Photo: FF T. Shuster
Crews 'wet down' the remaining fire with Class 'A' foam as a final measure to extinguish the fire completely. Photo: Lt. C. Harris
Side 'A'. Crews remove the front porch roof from the front of the house. Photo: Lt. C. Harris
Side 'A'. To the left of the house, the 'white' heating oil tank is visible. Photo: Lt. C. Harri
Side 'A'. Class 'A' foam is applied to the entire structure. Photo: Lt. C. Harris
Side 'A'. 3000 gallons of water and Class 'A' foam concentrate were use during the final 'mop-up'. Photo: Lt. C. Harris
With the "Evac Tones" sounded, FF's begin their "Defensive" Operations. Photo: Capt. S. Keeney
The fire totally destroyed the home. Photo: Capt. S. Keeney
