12/07/2005 - At 3:23 pm, Engine 371 of the Ritchie Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched as the 3rd due engine company to the 2700 block of Lorring Drive in Prince George's County Maryland for the apartment fire.
While all units were en route, Chief 26A of the District Heights Volunteer Fire Department advised he was on the scene with smoke showing from the roof and advised all units of "Level 1 operations".
Engine 261 of District heights arrived to confirm a working fire in a 1st floor apartment. Engine 371 arrived on scene, established their own water supply and advanced a 400 foot preconnected attack line to the rear.
While the crew was advancing the 400' attack line to the rear, the crew heard desperate screams for help but could not see where they were coming from due to heavy smoke pumping out of the first floor apartment that was involved.
The crew finished advancing the attack line to the rear, sending one back to Engine 371 for a 24 foot extension ladder, and found an elderly woman and 3 small children trapped on a third floor balcony due to smoke in their apartment.
The crew successfully removed all occupants from the balcony and took them to awaiting EMS Personnel. There were no reported injuries and Engine 371 cleared the scene at 4:01 pm.
