CRS responds to a 2 alarm fire in Black Rock Estates

WASHINGTON COUNTY, MD - On July 6, 2010 Emergency crews from Funkstown, Mount Aetna and Hagerstown were alerted for a “House On Fire” at 11006 Shalom Lane in Black Rock Estates east of Hagerstown. Washington County E.C.C. took the call around 2:45 that morning reporting the house was in flames. Crews on Box 10-6 were immediately dispatched out.

Funkstown units were able to see heavy flames over top the surrounding houses as they approached the scene. Chief Fraley of Funkstown immediately requested the Working Fire Assignment. Firefighters arrived to find a two-story dwelling with heavy fire through the roof. Chief Fraley assumed Shalom Command and requested a tanker task force to assist with water supply. After evaluating the scene Command requested the second alarm.

Firefighters battling the blaze were face with not only the house but also with burning grass around the residence due to the dry conditions. Firefighters worked to keep the blaze contained to the house while Trucks 1 and 26 worked to place ladder pipe operations into effect. Once in place Trucks 1 and 26 were able to knock down a large bulk of the fire.

Firefighters worked for nearly two hours before being able to extinguish the fire. Reports show that over sixty fire and ems personnel from over twenty different agencies responded out for the two-alarm fire. Crews were on the scene into the early hours of the morning Command was finally able to begin releasing units at 8:00 a.m. that morning.

The blaze destroyed the house causing over one million dollars in damage to the house. The family was home at the time it started. All family members were able to safely evacuate the structure prior to fire departments arrival on the scene. No one was injured during the incident and The American Red Cross was called in to assist the displaced family.

Due to the large scale of the incident, State Fire Marshal Ed Ernst (FM 26) immediately responded when Chief Fraley called for the second Alarm. Deputy Ernst was able to find the cause to be improperly discarded fireworks. The family had been lighting ground-based sparklers earlier in the evening. Those sparklers were discarded in a trashcan on the back deck while they were still hot. The can caught fire spreading up the house into the roof area and to a near by propane grill which added to the fuel source for the fire.

Crews responding on the 10-6 Box consisted of Funkstown Fire Co.10, Mt. Aetna Fire Co.16, Independent Juniors Eng.3, Pioneer Hook & Ladder Truck 1, Halfway Fire Co.26, First Hose Eng.1, Boonsboro Fire Co.6, Long Meadow Fire Co.27, Maugansville Fire Co.13, Smithsburg Fire Co.7, Leitersburg Fire Co.9, Fairplay Fire Co.12, Williamsport Fire Co.2, Washington County Special Operations 20, Community Rescue Co.75, Boonsboro Rescue Squad 69, Smithsburg EMS Co.79, Washington County Emergency Air Unit 25, Emergency Rehab Unit 255, The Maryland State Fire Marshals Office, The American Red Cross and the Hagerstown Special Police Division. While crews were committed on the scene transfer crews were called in from Middletown Co.7, Emmitsburg Co.6, Williamsport Co.2 and Thurmont Co.30 to cover for Stations 10, 26, 7 and 79 till they were able to clear the incident.