Rescue Squad First on Scene at Bethesda House Fire

Rescue Squad 741 Bravo arrived first on scene of a mid-afternoon house fire to find fire and heavy smoke showing from the roof of a house on Kirkdale Road in Bethesda.  As the Rescue Squad turned the corner onto Kirkdale, it saw heavy smoke rolling down the street between houses.  It arrived at the front of a 2-story house with fire showing from the roof and smoke coming from the attic. 

The crew entered the house and found no smoke on the inside.  They assisted the crew of Engine 720 in locating the fire in the attic area, so that the engine crew could make a quick knockdown of the fire.  The squad crew also conducted primary and secondary searches throughout the house.  No one was found, although the crew did release the family’s pet dog from the basement.  The crew also located and controlled the utilities.

Units from Bethesda, Cabin John, Glen Echo, Kensington and National Institutes of Health worked together to quickly complete the fire attack.  Apparently, the fire began in an attic fan and quickly spread throughout the attic due to a peak vent that ran the length of the roof.

Rescue Squad Assistant Chief Frank Gaegler assumed command, assisted by Montgomery County Battalion Chief 702.

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