February 8, 2010

House Fire in Heavy Snow   

Rescue Squad crews were challenged by deep snow and an intense basement fire in Bethesda today.

Rescue Squad units responded, along with units from Bethesda, Chevy Chase and two separate Federal fire departments to a house fire in the 7000 block of Exeter Road, in Bethesda.  Rescue Squad 741 arrived on scene shortly after Bethesda’s Engine and Truck 706 had made initial on-scene reports of smoke showing from the front and fire showing from the rear of a single family house.   This led to dispatch of a task force and a rapid intervention team that included additional units from Cabin John, Kensington, Silver Spring, and Wheaton Rescue Squad.

The Rescue Squad crew quickly completed a primary search of the second floor, which had smoke but no heat.  They also found the basement door which had smoke issuing, but held the door shut until a hand-line was placed in service.  They then searched the basement and assisted in ventilating the house.  The crew operated under zero visibility and moderate heat conditions in the basement until the fire was knocked by E706.  The crew also quickly shut down all of the utilities.

Utility 741, equipped with a plow, followed the Rescue Squad, and moved snow from the street at the residence in order to facilitate operations.  After quickly completing this assignment, the utility driver entered the house to meet up with Rescue Squad 741’s crew.  However, while entering the house, he sustained minor injuries.   He was treated and released.                              

The weekend’s heavy snow made the neighborhood streets difficult to drive on, and the response was slowed because many streets were still unplowed.  Further, crews were challenged in moving around the house by having to walk through snow and ice of up to 2 feet deep.

A total of 14 personnel from the B-CC Rescue Squad responded and worked together closely at the incident.  These included volunteers, the paid daytime staff, and the 2 Paramedics from the Department of Fire and Rescue Services who staff Medic 741 during the daytime.  Chief 741 responded and assisted with command of the incident.  Units operated on scene for more than an hour, participating in salvage and overhaul operations after the fire was knocked down, and standing by as part of the Rapid Intervention Group.

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