On Monday, at 1205 hours, the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department along with surrounding mutual aide companies were alerted to a reported house on fire with a person trapped at 38571 Lockes Forrest Lane. Engine 24, Tanker 2, Rescue Squad 2, Utility 2, Chief 2 and Chief 2A made the response immediately at dispatch with 16 personnel. Chief 2 arrived on the scene at 1209 hours to find a single-story, single-family home with a well advanced fire in the home, and communications advising there was a victim trapped in the rear bedroom. Units arrived on the scene and immediately deployed 2 hose lines and began performing searches of the home using a Vent-Enter-Search method to allow members to quickly gain access to the rear bedrooms of the home. Chief 2A established command of the incident.

Engine 24, Chief 2, and Rescue Squad 2 located an unconscious victim in the rear bathroom. The crew members rapidly removed the victim out one of the "Bravo" side windows to other members who were awaiting the patient to begin EMS care. Crews quickly assessed the patient to find them pulseless, and began life saving efforts while EMS reported to Side Bravo with their equipment. The patient subsequently succumbed to their injuries received during the incident.

The fire was located by a resident who came home and found the house on fire. The resident was able to alert one family member in another back bedroom of the fire. That occupant was able to escape without injury.

The scene has been turned over to the Maryland State Fire Marshall's office, who was on the scene investigating the incident. They have provided a media contact person pertaining to this incident. The following is their information:

---- MEDIA CONTACT ----
Oliver Alkire
Senior Deputy State Fire Marshal/ K9 Handler "Kachina"
Acting Public Information Officer
Office 410-836-4846 Cell: 443-619-2192

The department would like to extend our condolences to the family and friends affected by this tragic incident.