Helmet-cam video from house fire in Harford County, MD
Helmet-cam video posted by Clinton Polk and taken by Lt. Jackson of Level VFC from the second of two house fires back-to-back during the 11:00 hour Wednesday night in Harford County, Maryland.
At 11:22 pm, while E814 was just arriving on the scene of the Abingdon Fire, the JMVFC was requested to assist the Aberdeen Fire Department (AFD) at a townhouse fire in the 1400 block of Wellspring Drive, Aberdeen. Units from the AFD arrived with fire showing from the roof of a 4-story middle of the group townhome. Harford County’s busiest hook and ladder truck, JMVFC truck 831, arrived two minutes later. Firefighters placed ladders at windows and the aerial ladder to the roof. Next, they went inside the house to search for any potential victims. During the search, Firefighters checked the walls and ceilings for any hidden fire. Thankfully no victims were inside the house. Engine 815 from the JMVFC arrived and supplied water from a fire hydrant to an AFD fire engine. The crew went inside the house and alongside Firefighters from other companies, used hoses to extinguish the fire. Truck 831 cleared at 12:27 am and engine 815 cleared at 12:37 am.
During the two fires, additional JMVFC personnel staffed fire and EMS units at the Edgewood station. A fire engine from the White Marsh Volunteer Fire Company was sent by the Harford County Emergency Operations Center to the JMVFC’s main station in Joppa to provide additional south county fire protection. In total, 26 JMVFC volunteer fire and EMS members participated in staffing apparatus during the two fires. Without the selfless dedication of our members, we would not be able to provide such a high level of fire and emergency medical protection to the residents of Harford County.
JMVFC units on scene – E815 T831
Other Fire Departments on scene – Aberdeen Fire Department, Aberdeen Proving Ground Fire Department, Level Volunteer Fire Company and Susquehanna Hose Company
Engine 111 and Chief 1 were enroute to a transfer at Abingdon Fire Company while their units were on a working house fire in the 411 box. While enroute fire box 208 was dispatched, engine advised of their location and was picked up on the box. Engine 211 arrived with a 3 story middle of the group townhome with heavy fire on the 3rd floor and through the roof, with extension to the adjacent homes. Chief 1 arrived right behind E211 and assisted initial crew with advancing a handline. Engine 111 arrived and quickly went to work in the fire building opening up and knocking fire. Crews work for appox 2 hours opening up and checking for hidden fire. Cause of both fires was found to be lightning strikes for the passing storm.
