At approximately 1:40 a.m. this morning, MCFRS units were dispatched for the reported house fire in the 400 block of Norwood Road in the Colesville area of the county. Firefighters arrived on scene to find an abandoned, two-story single family home well involved in heavy fire.
An exterior fire attack was initiated to quickly bring the fire under control.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. A total of 50 firefighters were on-scene. There were no reported civilian or firefighter injuries. Damages were estimated to be $250,000.00.
On Thursday, June 30, at approximately 10:20 p.m. MCFRS units were dispatched to the 1100 block of Rosemere Avenue in the Colesville area of the County for a reported house fire. Units from Fire Station #24 arrived on the scene and reported fire showing from the rear basement and first floor areas of a two-story single family home.
All four occupants of the home were safely out, as a smoke alarm alerted them, and firefighters rapidly initiated efforts to extinguish the fire. Firefighters encountered a heavy fire load and hoarding conditions throughout the home which initially presented difficulties in extinguishing the fire. A Rapid Intervention Dispatch (RID), Task Force and Second Alarm were called to assist and a short time later the fire was declared under control. Approximately 85 firefighters were on the scene.
The homeowner indicated he heard what he thought to be the smoke alarm sounding in the basement. He made his way around the outside of the house and opened the basement door to find a fire inside near the laundry room. An effort was made to fight the fire with a fire extinguisher during which the homeowner received a minor injury to his hand.
Fire Investigators were called to the scene to conduct an Origin and Cause investigation. Due to conditions, investigators were hampered though the area of origin was determined to be in the basement. Currently the cause of the fire is undetermined.
There were no injuries to fire and rescue personnel and one minor injury to the homeowner. Damages were estimated to be $200,000.00 to the structure and $75,000.00 to the contents. Two adults and two children have been displaced as a result of the fire.
Reminder: Working smoke alarms alerted the family to the fire. Working smoke alarms save lives!
Members of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS)
constantly train to keep their skills sharp. Here, members of Fire Station
24 (Colesville) are working with their Tower Ladder and ropes to simulate an above/below
grade rescue with a stokes basket.
It is important for firefighters to practice all skills they
possess for any possible fire or rescue situation. In this scenario, the wrong
or improperly tied knot could mean injury or death to both the person being
rescued and the firefighter.
Constant training and practice ensures the women and men of
MCFRS will be ready and able to perform flawlessly when called into action.
Just after 6 am this morning (November 3) MCFRS Units were dispatched
for a report of a fire on the roof of a house in the 13600 Block of Mills Avenue.
Firefighters arrived on scene with heavy fire evident in a
two-story ranch-style house. Additional
fire/rescue units were immediately requested.
It was quickly determined that the house was a residential
group home with some special needs residents.
ALL occupants – five (5) total -- were safely out of the house upon
MCFRS arrival with care-takers assisting/rescuing three (3) mobility challenged
residents. EMS evaluated residents and
found all in good shape.
Initial fire attack was implemented to knock down the well-advanced
fire using large diameter hoses and was safely accomplished, at first, from the
outside. Once the bulk of the fire was knocked
down, an interior attack to extinguish numerous 'hotspots' was undertaken.
Damage estimated in excess of $500K to the home. Approximately 65 firefighters were on the
scene. All group home occupants were relocated
to another house.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. Album of photos below.
