June 6, 2000 -- The evening started out quiet for Tuesday night duty crew until box 10-27 was struck at 1949hrs for 9605 Muirkirk Rd. The initial dispatch reported a fire in the hallway with people trapped. First arriving unit, Engine 102, reported level one operations (working fire) with smoke showing. Engine102's crew stretched a hand line into the building while Engine 101's and Tower 10's crews rescued trapped residents on the balconies in the rear.
The fire was extinguished quickly but heavy smoke conditions persisted in the building. As crews worked on overhaul and ventilation, Prince George's County Police got word that the person who started the fire was possibly hiding in the building. In search of the suspected arsonist, police had their weapons drawn. This prompted fire command to order all firefighters out of the building for safety. Police officers using fire department self contained breathing apparatus apprehended one suspect hiding in a closet.
The building sustained minor to moderate fire
damage with the majority of damage due to smoke spread. The fire
was started in a ground floor hallway. The suspect was transported
to Laurel Regional Hospital with unknown injuries. No other injuries
reported. Units from Laurel (E101, E102 and Tower 10), Laurel Rescue,
Maryland City, Beltsville, Glendale, College Park, and Bowie responded
to the single alarm call.
Photos by Walter Allen
Firefighters from Engine 102 enter the building to attack the fire
Story by Phil Clinard
When Engine 102 arrived on the scene on Muirkirk road, they encountered fire conditions on the first and second floors. With reports of people trapped on the rear balconies, Engine 101's crew (who were right behind Engine 102) quickly setup ground ladders to rescue the residents while 102's crew attacked the fire. The crew of Engine 101, firefighters Burt Clark, Justin Davidson, and Kevin Knowles rescued three elderly residents from the floor above the fire and then 2 children from the next floor up. Three other rescues were made from the rear balconies by the crew of Beltsville Engine 311. A total of 8 residents including an infant were removed by firefighters from the balconies.
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