Loader Fire in the Building Contained with Minimal Damage to the Structure
By Chief Ivan Browning
March 1, 2009
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).
Units:
Engine 12, Rescue 1, Engine-Tanker 14, Ambulance 18, Life Support 1, Chief 1
Mutual Aid:
Frederick Rescue Engine 153, Howard Engine 41, Montgomery Engine 713, Tower 12, Frederick Truck 4-1, Howard Engine-Tanker 44, FM 35, FM 31, MSP
Chief 717 arrived on the scene with smoke showing. Photo Courtesy of Lisa Lessin, Laytonsville VFD
Black smoke is coming from the roll-up door bay where the loader was. Photo Courtesy of Lisa Lessin, Laytonsville VFD
Photo Courtesy of Lisa Lessin, Laytonsville VFD
The loader on fire in the building. Photo Courtesy of Lisa Lessin, Laytonsville VFD
The bobcat on fire. Photo Courtesy of Lisa Lessin, Laytonsville VFD
Crews prepare to make entry and extinguish the fire. Photo Courtesy of Lisa Lessin, Laytonsville VFD
The fire was knocked down quickly and crews checked for extension. Photo Courtesy of Lisa Lessin, Laytonsville VFD
Crews finish mopping-up. Photo Courtesy of Lisa Lessin, Laytonsville VFD
Employees use a large loader to pull the bobcat outside. Photo courtesy of Lisa Lessin, Laytonsville VFD
Crews complete extinguishment of the fire outside. Phot Courtesy of Lisa Lessin, Laytonsville VFD
Engine 12 first-due during clean-up. Photo Courtesy of Lisa Lessin, Laytonsville VFD
Crews had to use caution due to oil on the ground. Photo Courtesy of Lisa Lessin, Laytonsville VFD
