| Box 8-9. At 21:53 hrs, Stations 8, 10, 5, 6 and FC9, were dispatched for a “Barn Fire” at 4330 Bark Hill Road (Peace & Plenty Farm). Captain 8 arrived at 21:59 hrs to find a large shed (20' x 80'), 100% involved with multiple exposures, including a large barn filled with hay and cattle. The barn was not involved, but flames from the burning shed were threatening to set the barn on fire. The farm owner and several other family members were using garden hoses and high pressure cleaning hoses to protect the exposures, as well as working to evacuate the cattle and calves from the barn and nearby calf stulls.
Captain 8 established “Bark Hill Rd Command” and requested a “Tanker Task Force” until it could be confirmed that the large pond on the farm property could be used. Engine 81 arrived and positioned on the south (Bravo) side of structure. A "Mercury Master Stream" and one 1 ¾” line were initially pulled for knock-down and exposure protection. Engine 101 arrived and laid supply line from the pond, while Engine/Tanker 84 provided "Nurse Tanker" operations for Engine 81 until a direct water supply from the large pond was established by Brush 105.
After Chief 8 arrived, he assumed “Command" and as addition units arrived, two additional handlines were deployed (one 2” and another 1 ¾” from Engine 81). The fire was “Knocked” by 22:20 hrs, with all hands working for about 30 minutes. Several different crews were assigned to check the barn exposure throughout the incident with nothing found during the recons.
The incident was placed under control at 22:41 hours. "Command" held Station 8, 10, 5, E-61 and M-109, with all others placed in-service after fire was under control. One civilian (Owner) received a minor injury and refused medical attention. No firefighter injuries reported.
The Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office was on location investigating. Though not confirmed, a possible malfunction of a Kawasaki Mule ATV parked in front of shed is the probable cause. Attempts to extinguish the burning ATV by the owner, failed and quickly spread to the shed. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. With the total loss of the entire building and contents, damages were estimated to be $70,000.
The last unit cleared the incident at around 02:10 hrs.
Station 8 Units: E-81, E/T-84, RS-8, A-89, CS-8, U8-1, Chief 8, Captain 8, Safety 8, PIO-8
Other Departments: Station 10 (New Windsor), Station 5 (Taneytown), FC Station 9 (New Midway), Station 6 (Pleasant Valley), FCE/T-134 (Rocky Ridge), FCTa-17 (Libertytown), E/T-112 (Harney) |
