Maryland Firefighter in Critical Condition

April 8, 2009
Fire investigators say that the fire may have been deliberately set.

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LARGO, Md. -- A firefighter is reported in critical but stable condition after being burned during an overnight house fire in Largo, Maryland. 21-year-old Daniel McGown is currently being treated at the Medstar Burn Unit of the Washington Hospital Center for burns to the face and head. Two other firefighters were also hurt.

Career Firefighter/Paramedic McGown was hired by PGFD 4-years-ago.

According to a PGFD statement, "McGown is intubated and sedated. Doctors at the Burn Unit advised that the next 72 hours will be critical in determining his prognosis."

According to Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department Chief Spokesman Mark Brady, the fire at 87 Herrington Drive appears to be arson after a vintage Corvette was set on fire under a carport. The fire extended into the kitchen of the single-family-home.

Firefighter McGown was part of a crew of six firefighters from Engine 846 (Largo) that responded to the 2:00 AM fire. According to Brady, McGown and two other firefighters took a hose line to the kitchen area adjacent to the carport. It was there that something happened forcing the firefighters to scatter. McGown ended up unconscious in the family room. A crew from Station 833 (Kentland) heard McGown's PASS (Personal Alert Safety System) alarm and discovered the downed firefighter. According to Brady a "mayday" was called and Firefighter McGown was carried through a window on the side of the house to the outside. Due to McGown's condition paramedics decided not to wait for a medevac helicopter and drove the firefighter to the burn facility.

The other two firefighters had less serious burns and are expected to be released from the burn unit.

Timothy Bivins a resident and son of the homeowner tells 9NEWS NOW the family has been victim to vandals recently.

Daniel McGown's sister, Kimberly McGown Blackistone, has been a career firefighter and paramedic with the department for 7-years. Their father, Bill McGown, retired in 2006 as a deputy chief and is currently the Deputy Director of Public Safety Communications Center (911 center).

Republished with permission of WUSA-TV.

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