By Captain T.J. Faunce
August 8, 2014
On Friday morning at 0910 hours, Companies 5, 2, 1, Charles 14 along with EMS Stations 59, 29 and ALS were alerted to the 36000 block of Sunrise Avenue in Mill Point Shores for the reported working house fire. Initial reports given advised a subject was trapped inside the house. Chief 5A was first arriving, establishing the Mill Point Command. Chief 5A located a single story residence with heavy fire through the roof.
Engine 224 and Engine 52 arrived on the scene and both units pulled attack lines to the house. Engine 24 went to the front and Engine 52 went to the rear of the residence. Additional units were alerted to the scene bringing Company 7 and Charles Companies 10 and 2.
A large portion of the roof had collapsed prior to arrival and both crews on scene made quick aggressive attacks on the blaze. Searches were conducted and the single occupant, who was out upon arrival, confirmed that no one else was inside the residence. Tanker 5, Engine 51, Engine 24, and Engine 74 all supplied water to the scene. The personnel from those units assisted at the scene.
Ambulance 597 transported the occupant of the house to St. Mary's Hospital for smoke inhalation. There were no other injuries reported. SMECO and the State Fire Marshal were both requested to the scene.
Once the fire had been extinguished, the assignment was scaled back with units from Bel Alton and Hughesville returning to service and Newburg VFD handling the fill in at Station 5. Crews worked together during the overhaul process and assisted the Fire Marshal with the investigation. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Command was terminated and units were available after approximately 3 hours.