Media Contact: Assistant Fire Chief Alan Doubleday, 202-480-4776
To hear the 911 audio - click here.
On Sunday, April 19, 2015 at 6:58 a.m., units from the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department were dispatched for a reported house on fire. With less than a five-minute response, first arriving units reported smoke showing from a two-story split foyer home. The fire was reported by a 13-year-old boy who lived in the house with his family. He was awakened by his dog barking and when he went to check on the dog, smoke prevented him from leaving his room. He immediately called 911 on his cell phone and was able to provide specific information regarding where he and his sister were located.
Reports of people trapped were relayed to responding units who quickly initiated a fire attack and a search - all the while, a 911 call-taker remained on the line with the 13-year-old caller. At the same time, the children’s mother was outside and was able to tell firefighters the location of her children. Firefighters promptly initiated and aggressive interior fire attack and simultaneously searched the home and located the children in an upper level bedroom. Both of the children were rescued and removed via ground ladders and received EMS care.
EMS personnel transported five residents to area hospitals - the two children remain hospitalized in stable condition. The adults have all been released. The cause of the fire which appears to have originated near a computer desk remains under investigation. The loss is placed at $75,000. Fire Chief Marc S. Bashoor stated, “I'm very proud of all of our folks - they, combined with a brave young man and a composed 911 call taker, made a difference today - they saved lives”.
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