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Three Alarm Fire Displaces Dozens of Families
By Life Member Jim Davis
February 22, 2010
Just before 3:00 pm, February 22, 2010, firefighters from Branchville were dispatched as part of a second alarm assignment, along with other nearby companies and units from Montgomery and Howard counties, for an apartment building on fire in the 13000 block of Mistletoe Spring Rd, The Willow Lake Apartments.
First arriving units reported heavy fire showing from the top floor with fire extending to the attic area of a three-story garden-style apartment building. Firefighters attempted to enter the building to make an aggressive attack on the fire, but due to heavy fire conditions and the possibility of a roof collapse, they were forced from the building and had to attack the fire from outside.
As firefighters were making a defensive stand, a partial collapse of the roof occurred. With still heavy fire conditions and the possibility of the fire extending into adjacent buildings, a third alarm was sounded.
The crew from Engine 811, along with Chief 811, were assigned to the rear of the building. Once firefighters were able to enter the structure, the crew accessed the top floor using a ground ladder and extinguished the hot spots.
It took firefighters over an hour to bring the fire under control, with no injuries reported, stated County fire officials. Over two dozen people were displaced as a result of the fire and the cause is under investigation.
Units:
E811, C811 on 2nd alarm,
A811 on Working Fire Dispatch
