| Fire and EMS crews responded early Saturday morning to a house fire in the 49800 block of Airedele Road in Ridge after multiple callers reported smoke and flames coming from a two-story single-family home.
The incident was dispatched on the 4-06 Box at approximately 2:58 a.m. on May 9 for a reported house fire with possible entrapment. Initial callers reported heavy fire conditions, including fire toward the rear of the home and possible propane tank involvement. Dispatch updates soon confirmed that all seven occupants had escaped the residence. No injuries were reported, and all animals were also safely accounted for.
Crews from Ridge, Bay District, Second District, NAS Webster Field, NAS Patuxent River, Leonardtown, and Hollywood responded quickly. First-arriving units found heavy fire showing from the two-story residence, with multiple vehicles also involved near the side of the structure. Command was established, and crews began fire attack operations while confirming that all occupants were out of the home.
Firefighters faced challenging conditions due to the home’s location in a non-hydrant area, which required crews to establish and maintain a water supply from a nearby draft site at the boat ramp. The limited water supply hampered extinguishment efforts at times and required coordinated tanker and engine operations to support crews working at the scene.
Due to heavy fire conditions, structural instability, and a partial collapse at the rear of the home, command temporarily shifted crews to defensive operations from outside the structure. Once conditions improved, firefighters resumed interior operations where safe to do so, working on both floors to extinguish remaining fire in walls, attic spaces, and hidden areas.
At the height of the incident, approximately 69 fire personnel were operating on the scene. Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative was requested to secure power to the residence, and the American Red Cross was contacted to assist the seven displaced occupants. Friends and family are also assisting the residents.
The bulk of the fire was knocked down after an extended operation, and the incident was placed under control at approximately 4:33 a.m. Crews remained on the scene for several more hours conducting overhaul, checking for hot spots, and assisting with cleanup. Command was terminated shortly after 7:00 a.m.
The cause of the fire was referred to the Fire Marshal’s Office for investigation.
The department reminds residents to have working smoke alarms on every level of the home and to practice a home escape plan with all family members. Once safely outside during a fire, residents should remain outside and wait for firefighters to arrive. |
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