Mutual Aid Response to Fatal Delaware Fire

March 20, 2007
It was initially believed that the home was empty at the time of the alarm but it wasn't.

On March 19, 2007 at 8:59 a.m. the Sussex County, Delaware, 911 Center alerted Station 81 (Laurel), Station 74 (Delmar) and Wicomico County, Maryland, Station 14 (Sharptown) for a house fire at 8810 Bacon's Road, north of the town of Delmar. Delmar Deputy Chief Darrin Scott arrived on the scene first and reported an older style mobile home trailer with heavy smoke and fire conditions on the right side of the home. The crew of first arriving Engine 81-2 quickly put two hand lines in service while the crew of Truck 74 and Delmar Chief J. Morris Jr. also put a hand line in service.

Chief Morris established "Command", while past chief Bill Hearn from Station 81 was assigned "Operations". It was initially believed that the home was empty at the time of the alarm but it wasn't until a female came running onto the scene, saying that her husband could still be inside that proved otherwise. While crews were doing overhaul, they recovered a body near where the front door would have been, however due to the large amount of fire showing upon arrival it is unlikely that a positive outcome would have been affected.

Personnel saved as much of the trailer as they could so that the Delaware State Fire Marshal's Office would be able to conduct their investigation. One firefighter from Station 81 became ill during the alarm and was taken to Nanticoke Memorial Hospital in Seaford, Delaware.

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