MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930
mebrady@co.pg.md.us @PGFDPIO
At about 7:45 am, Saturday, November 9, firefighters were alerted to a house fire in the 2900 block of Walters Lane in Forestville. Firefighters from District Heights Engine 826 were the first to arrive to find a 2-story Cape Cod with a large 2-story attached addition with heavy smoke showing from the rear of the 4200 square foot structure. Firefighters initiated an aggressive interior attack and search of the structure. Conditions on the interior started to deteriorate rapidly with fire and high heat quickly intensifying. The fire spread rapidly throughout and consumed the attached addition.
At that point, all firefighters were ordered to evacuate the structure and knock down heavy fire conditions now visible from just about every window of the addition. A portion of the fire was extinguished from the safety of exterior positions before firefighters re-entered the structure to continue the fire fight and complete searches.
The fire continued to extend through void spaces in the basement and upper floors eventually making it's way to the 2-story Cape Cod original home. The original structure was constructed in the 1940's.
The bulk of the fire was eventually knocked down about 2 hours after arrival. The fire was completely extinguished about an hour after that. Extensive overhaul was required to ensure the fire was extinguished. A Second Alarm was sounded bring nearly 100 firefighters, civilian support staff and incident commanders on over 25 pieces of fire and EMS apparatus.
Three occupants escaped the home prior to the Fire Departments arrival. One occupant, an adult female, 80ish years of age, was transported to an area hospital as a precaution.
Three firefighters, all part of the first arriving crew, sustained burn injuries to the upper body. Two were treated and released with burn injuries to wrists, arms and ears. The third firefighter was admitted for observation of possible airway injuries. All three firefighters were transported to the Burn Unit at Medstar Washington Hospital Center.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. Fire loss estimates are still being tabulated.
The following images were captured by Kentland Volunteer Fire Fighter Ed Lehan and re-posted from his Facebook page.
The following images were captured by County Fire Chief Marc S. Bashoor
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