Firefighters Rescue Man Trapped in Burning Home

Firefighters arrived at the 1-story single family Lanham home with heavy smoke showing and had received reports that one occupant was trapped inside.

At about 10:30 pm, Friday, November 5, 2010, firefighter/medics searched and fought a fierce blaze at the home in the 6400 block of Princess Garden Parkway.
Public Safety Communications Dispatchers had relayed information to responding units that a 70ish year old male was unable to escape the home and was still inside.

As a team of firefighters stretched hoselines and battled the fire, another team searched for the trapped occupant. Through the blinding smoke and intense heat Firefighter/Medic William Vanarsdale, assigned to the Landover Hills Fire/EMS Station, located the man in a bedroom. Vanarsdale was assisted by Bladensburg Volunteer Fire Fighter Schultz in removing the man to the exterior.

Paramedics tended to the injured man, suffering from smoke and thermal injuries, and was quickly transported to an area Burn Unit in serious condition.

Firefighters continued to battle the blaze for about 30 minutes before knocking the fire down.

Fire Investigators continue to search for the cause of the fire that remains under investigation. Fire loss is estimated at $100,000.

Two other occupants of the home were able to escape prior to firefighters arrival. They were assisted by the Departments Citizen Services Unit and the Red Cross.


Mark E. Brady

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