On Dec. 18, Allegany County Communications dispatched Engine 361 and Engine 221 mutual aid to Garrett County for a working apartment building fire.
The three-story building was located on West 1st Ave in Loch Lynn near Oakland, MD.
The multiple-alarm fire brought units from several counties and two states. Garrett County 911 dispatched Company 40, Engine 23, Engine 122, Engine 161 (RIT), Air 3, Ambulance 9-1.
Dispatch received numerous calls reporting a working fire on the third floor.
Chief 40A quickly reported that all occupants were out of the apartment building.
Captain 40 requested an additional truck out of station 120.
Engine Rescue 43 and Truck 44 responded from Station 40. Engine 31 transferred to Station 40. Truck 44 took up a position on Side A.
Engine Rescue 43 hit a hydrant at Alderson St and W 1st Ave and supplied Truck 44. Engine 23 supplied Truck 124 on Side C. Chief 40 established the command with Command with Chief 40A assuming operations.
Due to a limited water supply from the hydrant system, command requested four tankers to be dispatched on the assignment.
Attack lines were pulled and put into service to the front and rear of the building. Command assigned Engine 161's crew (RIT) and to throw ladders to the building.
The fire progressed to all three floors of the apartment building with a partial collapse of the roof on the C/D Corner.
At 7:51 p.m., command pulled all firefighters out of the building due to the fire spread.
Engine 31, Engine 361, and Engine 221 crews were dispatched to the scene to assist with overhaul operations.
Crews were hampered by limited water supply and very cold temperatures.
Engine 221's crew reported to the second floor and Engine 361's crew reported to the third.
Crews overhauled the building and extinguished several hot spots in the building. They remained on the scene for at least five hours.
Four separate families were displaced from this tragedy.
Units on the scene were ER 43, Truck 44, Tanker 46 (Oakland), E 23 (Deer Park), E 122, Truck 124, Tanker 126 (Gorman), E 161 (Terra Alta), Air 3, Engine 31 (Deep Creek), Ambulance 9-1 (Southern), Tanker 136 (Bayard), Tanker 200 (Aurora), E 361 (Bloomington), E 221 (Potomac), Garrett County Sheriff's Office, SHA, and Allegany Power.
