It’s summertime in good old Southern Maryland and the tones starting dropping at 1318 hrs. and when they are setting off more than two at a time you know that it’s going to be for something more than a smells and bells call and that is just what we were in for. The fireboard was putting out a call for a reported house fire in the Westbury Subdivision at 21390 Edgar Way. Stations alerted were 3, 9, 6, 7 and 5 for the water supply along with Truck 3 and Tower 9 along with the Lexington Park Rescue Squad.

When the fireboard dispatcher stated that he was getting numerous calls as the crews were marking up they knew they were going to have some fire on arrival. Firefighter Tommy Blazer was in the area in his private vehicle and was first on the scene. He checked with one of the neighbors who stated to him that he didn’t think anyone was home because their cars were not in the driveway. Engine 33 under command of Sgt. Martin was first arriving and laid out from Westbury Blvd. into the address. Engine 91 under the command of Lieut. Marshall was second and picked up Engine 33’s supply line followed closely by Squad 3 with Sgt. Dean whose crew performed the primary search of the residence. Engine 33 with Sergeant Martin lead off with the pre-connect inch and three quarter stretched to the front door with fire showing from a second story bedroom window. This was a middle of the row townhouse and the building was sprinkled which helped to hold the fire in check as far as extension but for some reason the sprinkler head in the bedroom failed to open allowing the fire to buildup in the bedroom and fire extended out the window.

Truck 3 and Tower 9 failed to respond due to no drivers so fireboard alerted Station 7 for their truck which responded with I think a crew of 5. Shortly after that Tower 9 marked up with 3 and Truck 7 was put in service.

The crew’s from 3 made an aggressive attack on the fire and made a quick knock of the fire. The crew from 9 had pulled a second line off Engine 33 and pulled it to the front door. The search of the unit was negative and both units on either side were checked for extension and finding none the call was scaled back to hold units from 3 and 9. I forgot to tell you all that yes I was fourth arriving along with safety 3-A Johnson. The guys had the fire knocked before I could get out of the utility and take a few pictures. Good Job……

So again sprinklers showed just how important they can be in controlling a fire and in most cases putting the fire out. They save wear and tear on our firefighters and protect the residents’ property. I think without them in this case with no one home we would have had the entire upstairs off with extension into the attic and maybe into the units on either side. As it was a room and contents and everybody goes home.

Before I forget the command was held by Lieut. 9 Peter Marshall.

Station 6 and 7 when cancelled on the call filled in at our stations and we thank them.