Tuesday, August 8, 2006
At 1041 hours, fire communications transmitted box alarm 33-21 reporting an apartment fire at 2906 Brightseat Road. This would turn out to be the second working apartment fire in this complex in four days. Engine 331 and Tower Ladder 33 responded on the run with 9 volunteers. As the company made their way up Landover Road toward the box, fire communications was now reporting people trapped. Engine 331 (OIC Rhode) arrived and took their own hydrant adjacent to the building. As the crew advanced their attack line into the building, it was noticed that a terrace level apartment was on fire. The Tower Ladder arrived just seconds behind the engine company. Fireman Joe Brown, riding as the OIC on Tower Ladder 33, started to make his way into the common stairwell. He also was wearing a helmet camera that was recording his every move. As Brown came to the fire apartment door, crew members rapidly forced entry. At this time heavy smoke began issuing from the doorway. Sergeant Rhode, Firemen Brown and Chris Floyd began rapidly searching the apartment looking for the reported trapped occupant. Fireman Brown was the first to locate an unconscious elderly male. Brown removed him to the apartment entrance, where Sergeant Rhode and Fireman Floyd assisted in the final portion of the removal. As this rescue was taking place, the engine men began containing the main body of fire located in the bedroom area. The elderly male was treated in the front yard and then passed off to paramedics that arrived on the scene. For these and all actions performed by Kentland Volunteers at this incident they are commended.
Engine 331- Anthony Veith, Anthony Rhode, Adam Brown, Josh Burchick
Tower Ladder 33- Robert Marshall, Joe Brown, Chris Floyd, Nick Romanchick, Chris Rutter
