While Rescue Squad 14 was operating on a personal injury accident on I-495 with one trapped, Box 14-09 was sounded for the apartment fire in the 9300 block of Edmonston Road in the Springhill Lake Apartment Complex at 1358 hours.  Truck 14, Chief 14A (McCoy), and Chief 14B (Kitchen) responded on the assignment.  Units arrived to find a three-story, garden apartment with heavy fire showing.

Upon arrival, Chief 14A established Command and later was assigned Operations, Chief 14B was assigned Division 3, and Truck 14 was designated as the Search Group.  With heavy fire on all three floors, the second alarm was requested within minutes.

An aggressive interior attack was initiated while Truck 14 completed the primary search with negative results.  Despite making some progress, fire extended into the cockloft, and the evacuation order was given to regroup.  Additionally, a third alarm was requested.

After regrouping, units went back in with handlines and were able to bring the fire under control.  All units continued to hit hot spots and conduct overhaul.  The units from 14 were ready for service at 2126 hours.

The Berwyn Heights Volunteer Fire Department will conduct a donation effort to support the displaced residents.  Donations of "gift cards" from stores such as Target and Wal-Mart are being requested and will be collected and distributed by the Berwyn Heights Volunteer Fire Department.  Firefighters will provide the "gift cards" to the displaced residents on Christmas Eve in an effort to provide as joyous a holiday as possible.  Donated "gift cards" can be dropped off at the Berwyn Heights Volunteer Fire Department located at 8811 60th Avenue or call 301-883-7714 to make arrangements for pick-up of your donated "gift cards".

Fireground Video
(courtesy of Bill Cornett, InsideGreenbelt.com)