News

Working trailer fire with subsequent fatality - 74 Juniper Ct., Holly Hill Estates
Sunday, October 27, 2013

At 0432 the CHC was dispatched for a reported working trailer fire at 74 Juniper Ct. in the Holly Hills mobile home park. E44-2 under command of 44-15 (Hankins) responded within minutes, followed shortly by T-44, 44-3, & R44. Upon arrival crews found a single wide trailer with heavy fire showing, 44-15 assumed command. The crew from E-2 split up and part of the crew handstretched a 5" supply line to the end of the cul de-sac for T-44 to pick up on its arrival. The remainder of the crew stretched one 1 3/4" to the front of the trailer to knock down the fire from the outside, and a 1 1/2" handline to the frontporch and into the front door of the residence. Crews were able to knock the fire down quickly, allowing crews from 44-3 and R44 to perform quick searches both of which had negative results. Crews also shut off the gas and secured the electricity to the house. 44-15 placed the scene under control and crews remained on scene for about another two hours performing extensive overhaul, and assisting the FM units. All crews cleared and were back in quarters at 0715. Upon arrival all occupants were out of the structure already, but a elderly male occupant was in the front yard being tended to by neighbors. Crews from 64 began assessing the pt. and loaded the pt for transport. Command requested ALS per 64. While loading and beginning transport the pts condition deteriorated, and he went into cardiac arrest. The pt was transported to KGH by 64 & KM-6. The pt had a return of pulses and was delivered to KGH alive. The pt subsequently passed away a couple weeks later due to complications from the fire, and was ruled a fire related death. Units on-scene: E44-2, T44, E44-3, R44, 44-10, B-64, KM6, FM 14 & 28, DSP, & Delmarva Power. R53-6(Leipsic) provided a cover-up to Sta. 44. The CHC had 36 members respond, and were in service for 2hrs & 45 minutes. OIC was Fire Chief Isaac J. Hankins.