On February 23 at 1339 hours (1:39 pm), MAVFC and surrounding area fire companies were dispatched to the report of a house fire in the 13900 block of Foggy Bottom Court in Frederick County. First arriving units from MAVFC found fire coming through the roof of a one-story house with a basement. The fire was spreading very rapidly and was very intense. Chief 1 established command and assigned the incoming units to particular facets of the fire attack. E12 stretched a handline to the front door to begin the initial attack. Frederick E251 supplied E12 with water and its crew pulled a second line to assist with the fire attack. T1 placed ladders and began a search of the house where accessible. A short time after fire attack began, a large hole was found in the first-floor area and fire was now in the basement which was not found during the original circle check. All units were withdrawn from the structure briefly so the attack could be reset, and the safety of all personnel could be ascertained. It was learned at this time that an occupant of the home was unaccounted for and was last known to be inside the home. Intensive searches were begun in all areas of the house in an effort to locate this resident.
The fire was brought under control in about 28 minutes; however, units were held for a significant amount of time to extinguish hot spots and search for a possible victim. After detailed searches, the victim was located deceased under a significant accumulation of debris inside the house. The area was cordoned off and the fire marshal requested to conduct the investigation.
There was 1 civilian fatality, but no other civilians or firefighter injuries. Units remained on the scene for several hours clearing the scene at approximately 1800 hours (6:00 pm). The origin and cause investigation along with the death investigation is being handled by the Frederick County Fire Marshal's Office. Damage estimates are not yet available, however, the home was heavily damaged and uninhabitable from the fire damage.
Approximately 39 units responded to the scene with approximately 89 personnel to accomplish numerous tasks and assignments for fire mitigation. Units responded from Carroll, Frederick, Howard, and Montgomery Counties along with law enforcement and the Frederick County Fire Marshal's Office.