At approx. 0005 hours, multiple 9-1-1 calls began pouring into the Prince George's County Fire Communications Center reporting an apartment building on fire at 7109 Donnell Place in Forestville. First arriving units found multiple apartments on fire with extension to rear balconies and the roof. Almost immediately a second and third alarm was transmitted. Tower Ladder 33 arrived in the initial stages of the incident with six volunteers. With the situation at hand and fire spreading quickly there was an urgent need to get the Tower Ladder in place to stop fire spread. With first alarm units taking-up most of the roadway leading up to the building involved it was necessary to remove wooden fences, bushes, brick walls and everything else that would hamper the Tower Ladder gaining a supreme position. The obstacles were removed rather quickly and the Tower Ladder proceeded down a sidewalk, over a stairwell and down a grass embankment to reach the desired position in which to operate. About the time that Tower Ladder 33 had reached their goal Engine 331 arrived and began stretching 3-inch supply lines for a water supply to the Tower Ladders "Stang" gun. With the assistance of volunteers from Engine 331 and the Tower Ladder this was complete in just a couple of minutes. Once the supply lines were charged the Tower Ladder went to work putting a knock on the four floors of fire. As this was being accomplished members noted a downed PGFD firefighter from Company 27 being removed. The crews of Tower Ladder 33 and Engine 331 assisted members from Morningside to remove the firefighter from beside the building to the front of Tower Ladder 33 where EMS care was provided until the Paramedics from Medic 25 arrived. Paramedics began treatment and the injured firefighter was transported via helicopter to a nearby burn facility. Once a majority of the fire was being contained the crews from 33 as well as Companies 26, 17, 9, 27, etc. went to work in the exposure portion of the building. Crews encounters a few rooms off and multiple hot spots. Every ladder from the Tower Ladder was placed in-service also. In all Engine 331 operated until approx 0500 hours and Tower Ladder 33 did not return to full service until 1500 hours that after noon (14 hours later). During the investigation portion of the fire a fatality was found in the original fire area. This area had to be shored up for structural support reasons before searching and removal of the body. The cause of this third alarm fire is still under investigation.

Command