Story/Photos By Martin C. Grube/Tidewater Fire Photographers Association

Virginia Beach firefighters awoke Thursday morning 1/3/02 to a heavy snowfall. Around 1430 hours, off duty VBFD Battalion Chief Chase Sargent/FEMA Task Force Leader reported a well involved house fire in the 1000 block of Swampscott Court. Engine 12 was first in and stretched lines and flowed the deck gun. Engine and Ladder 11 and Engine 52 from the Damn Neck military installation arrived next. Heavy fire was pushing from Side B and Side C in the rear, into the second floor and out the gabled roof. An additional engine and ladder company was dispatched.

As the fire spread to the garage and portions of the second floor a primary search was conducted on both floors and no one was found. Additional attack crews stretched hose lines to cover exposures and began knocking down the flames. Command was established immediately by Chief Sargent and was later passed on to Car 8 District Chief R.B. Alley. Captain Jerry Chiusano on Engine 5 was Fire Attack and coordinated the firefighting crews. Tower Ladder 16 arrived and was assigned truck duties. Another military base engine company from NAS Oceana was also on scene.

The heavy snow that fell on the resort city hampered the firefighters while in route to the blaze. A total of nine to twelve inches fell throughout the day. This was the only reported major fire of the day.

Additional unties that responded were Battalion 1 and 4, Safety 1, Haz Mat 1, a salvage truck and the PIO (Adm 2) The Fire Training Center Video Team responded as well. There were no injuries and the fire was believed to be accidental.