On Thursday, November 5, 2020 at 1:17 pm, the Chestertown VFC was dispatched to the “Smoke Investigation” on Cromwell Clark Road, which runs off Flatland Road (Maryland 514) just past the Coventry Farms development. At 1:29 pm Kent Dispatch changed the status and upgraded this incident to a structure fire. This added multiple mutual aid companies to the response.

Our Engine 67 was the first to arrive, finding a 2-story house 75% well-involved with fire. A Tanker Task Force had been requested, which adds 4 tankers and an engine to the response. With the special calls for additional manpower and tankers, this incident was the equivalent of a 2-Alarm fire. In all, assisting fire companies responded from as far as Chesapeake City in Cecil County, to Queenstown in Queen Annes County, to Marydel in Kent County, Delaware.

Once on the scene, our first crew employed a transitional attack. This concept employs the deck gun / monitor nozzle mounted on top of the engine to hit the fire hard and fast, gaining a quick knock down, or darkening of the fire. The crew then deployed handlines (fire hoses) and made entry into that part of the house yet still standing. There was a vehicle in the driveway, and it was unclear if anyone might still be inside. Thankfully, a quick Primary Search, which pressed as far as safety and prudence allowed, proved negative. Tragically, two (2) family dogs perished in the blaze, and the family cat is unaccounted for.

Upon arrival, the relief device of a 100-gallon residential propane tank, designed to protect the vessel from rupturing in the fire, was operating. The escaping gas had taken fire, which is the desired result. That’s because the escaping propane product is burned up as it’s released. A hose line was placed in service to protect the tank and keep it cool. Eventually, either the internal pressure of the tank dropped sufficiently, allowing for the relief device to reset, or (more likely) all the gas in the tank had been burned away. Fire suppression operations in that part of the structure still standing were hampered because of severe fire damage. The second floor was missing in some places. As a result, most of the overhaul work had to be completed from the exterior, using ladders and cutting access points with saws. Overhaul is the process of extinguishing all remaining fire, embers, and sparks.

To supply water for firefighting operations, a shuttle system was set-up from a nearby Chestertown municipal hydrant. A large supply hose, known as an LDH (Large Diameter Hose) was dropped in the farm lane out to Cromwell Clark Road. This distance was nearly 1400 feet between the house and the road. As Cromwell Clark Road is a dead-end road, bringing fire department tankers in to drop their water, then turn them around to depart for refill proved problematic. Fortunately, there was just enough room to safely, and comfortably, turn these vehicles around.

As the family was displaced by the fire, the American Red Cross was requested to assist them. The Maryland State Fire Marshals Office responded and conducted an Origin & Cause Investigation. The results of the investigation are not available as of this writing. Contact that agency’s Upper Eastern Shore Regional Office at 410-822-7609 for updates.

We operated at this incident for six (6) hours. No emergency personnel or civilians were injured.

All photographs by the Chestertown VFC. Media may use photographs with attribution.

Emergency organizations dispatched to / operating at this incident. Not all were able to respond:

Chestertown VFC

Rock Hall VFC

Kennedyville VFC

Betterton VFC

Galena VFC

Millington VFC (Community Volunteer Fire Company of Millington, Maryland)

Church Hill VFC

Crumpton VFC

Sudlersville VFC

Queenstown VFC

Marydel VFC

Cecilton VFC

Hacks Point VFC

Chesapeake City VFC

(Our apologies if any were missed.)

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