Female career firefighters say they were assaulted at MD house fire by volunteers
A fight during a Tuesday house fire between career and volunteer firefighters in Prince George’s County, Maryland is making news. According to WRC-TV/NBC4’s Darcy Spencer, PGFD say it’s investigating allegations that a career lieutenant and career firefighter from Station 830 (Landover Hills), both female, were assaulted by two volunteer firefighters from Station 828. (West Lanham Hills VFD). (Video above was taken at the fire on Tuesday by Jose Lopez.)
It happened on the front porch of 5409 75th Avenue home as the fire burned. Darcy Spencer says it was a “turf battle” as the female firefighters were attempting to run a hoseline into the home. PGPD officers were called to the scene to take a report but no charges have been filed at this point.
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Prince George’s County Fire and EMS is investigating allegations two female firefighters were assaulted while they battled a blaze in Lanham, Maryland, Tuesday night.
The women said the two men who assaulted them were volunteer firefighters from another station.
A fire lieutenant said she was thrown from the porch of the home. Another firefighter said she was shoved. They were running hoses into the home.
The incident may have been a turf battle over which station was in charge at the scene of the fire.
“This is a very serious incident, and we’re looking forward to the result of the investigation from the fire department,” said Andrew Pantelis, president of the Prince George’s Professional Firefighters and Paramedics Association, which represents career firefighters but not volunteers.
Police were called to the scene.
“They took a report, however no charges were placed against anybody, and it was left up to the internal review of the fire and EMS department to see exactly what happened,” said Mark Brady of Prince George’s County Fire.
The women plan to file charges, Panelis said.
“The union wants to see a thorough investigation, and if the allegations are proven to be accurate, we’d like to see disciplinary action against the individuals involved.”
All four firefighters are on desk duty while the incident is investigated.
“Immediately on the scene of that incident, all four were removed from emergency operations and placed on limited public contact,” Brady said.
