| The Bay District Volunteer Fire Department responded to 45 emergency calls during the Fourth of July holiday weekend, covering Friday, July 3, through Sunday, July 5, including three working structure fires that brought volunteers to incidents across St. Mary’s County.
The holiday weekend brought a wide range of emergency responses for Bay District personnel, including fire, rescue, EMS, and service-related calls. In addition to maintaining regular emergency coverage for the community, Bay District crews assisted at three significant structure fires during the holiday period.
The first major fire was reported on Saturday, July 4, at approximately 8:38 p.m. in the 48700 block of Wentworth Court. Initial 911 callers reported a garage fire with smoke and flames visible, and later updates indicated the fire had extended into the home. Engine 31 arrived as the first-due engine company and began extinguishing the fire in the garage before repositioning to the second floor for continued fire attack.
Squad 3 worked to open up walls and ceilings for the engine company while also conducting searches. Bay District Tower 9 and Utility 9 responded with seven personnel, with Tower 9 operating as the first-due special service. Tower 9’s crew placed ground ladders, conducted a primary search, and opened up the structure so engine companies could access and extinguish hidden fire. Chief 3B initially handled Division 2 operations before that assignment was later passed to Chief 9B.
Firefighters found fire showing from the roof area above the garage, with smoke pushing from the eaves. Crews operated on the second floor and in the attic, opening ceilings and using hoselines to extinguish fire that had extended above the garage. After rotating through firefighter rehabilitation, Tower 9 personnel returned to assist with additional overhaul operations in the second floor and garage areas. The fire was brought under control at approximately 9:11 p.m., and the Maryland State Fire Marshal was notified.
Later that night, at approximately 11:37 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to the 25900 block of Timothy Court in Mechanicsville for a reported house fire. Initial reports indicated the home had been struck by lightning and that the attic was on fire. First arriving units found a two-story single-family dwelling with fire through the roof. All occupants were confirmed out of the residence.
Bay District Engine/Tanker 94 and Engine 31 were added to the assignment on the working fire dispatch, and Chief 3B also responded. Engine/Tanker 94 responded with a crew of four. Upon arrival, the crew initially supplemented the Rapid Intervention Team, a standby firefighter safety team assigned in case crews working inside the structure need assistance. Once that assignment was no longer needed, Engine/Tanker 94 personnel operated on Division 2, conducting overhaul and extinguishing remaining hot spots. Engine 31 staged with available manpower on Side A. The fire was marked under control shortly after midnight, with crews remaining on scene to check for hidden fire and assist with cleanup.
On Sunday, July 5, at approximately 9:40 p.m., Bay District volunteers responded with multiple surrounding departments to a serious house fire in the 22800 block of Thornbury Drive in Hollywood. Initial 911 calls reported a residential structure fire with a possible trapped child. Chief 3B arrived at approximately the same time as Engine 10 and found a two-story, single-family wood-frame home with fire showing throughout.
Engine 91 arrived as the third-due engine company and established an additional water source. Engine 91’s crew reported to Side C with a handline and began extinguishing fire from that position. Squad 3 was assigned to the Charlie Division, working under Chief 7. Once conditions allowed crews to operate safely, Squad 3 completed a primary search on Side C.
Firefighters from multiple departments operated in difficult and dangerous conditions, initially using exterior handlines to knock down heavy fire before crews could safely conduct searches. The child was later confirmed to have escaped the home without reported injuries. During search operations, firefighters located one adult victim on the second floor. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal is investigating the Thornbury Drive fire. According to preliminary information released by the State Fire Marshal, the family had used ground-based sparkler fireworks earlier in the evening, and spent fireworks were reportedly discarded in a trash can on a screened-in rear deck. Investigators are examining whether heat retained by the discarded fireworks may have ignited nearby combustible materials.
Bay District VFD extends its condolences to the family and all those affected by the tragic Thornbury Drive fire. The department also recognizes the efforts of all responding fire, rescue, EMS, law enforcement, dispatch, utility, and investigative personnel who worked throughout the holiday weekend.
The Fourth of July weekend is a reminder that fireworks and sparklers can remain hot long after they appear to be out. Used fireworks should be soaked thoroughly in water and placed in a metal or other noncombustible container outdoors before disposal. Residents are also encouraged to check smoke alarms, review home escape plans, and follow Bay District VFD for additional fire and life safety information. |
