Loader Fire in the Building Contained with Minimal Damage to the Structure

On Sunday March 1, 2009 at 1236 hours (12:36 pm), Box Alarm 1-15 was dispatched for smoke coming from a building near the intersection of Rising Ridge Road and South Main Street. Montgomery County Chief 717 was pulling up to the scene as the incident was dispatched and confirmed an address in the 1000 block of Rising Ridge Road. Chief 717 found smoke coming from the rear of a 60' X 40' metal garage building and established command. Chief 1 arrived and assumed command for the incident. Engine 12 layed a supply line from the nearby hydrant and took a handline in to extinguish the fire. Units found a small "bobcat" loader on fire inside the building and quickly extinguished the fire. Crews from other units checked for fire extension finding none. Ventilation was done to evacuate the smoke from the structure. No one was reported in the building at the time of the fire and a quick search by initial units confirmed this. Company employees assisted the fire company by using a larger loader to pull the bobcat outside for final extinguishment. Crews had to use caution due to an excessive amount of motor and hydraulic oil on the ground from the bobcat. Containment was set-up to stop any water run off from entering into the storm drains. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office. Damage estimates were approximately $30,000. There were no civilian or firefighter injuries. All units had cleared the scene by 1439 hours (2:39 pm).