Baltimore Firefighter Attacked By Dog While Fighting Blaze

Baltimore, Md. (January 11, 2009) -- On Sunday, January 11, 2009 Baltimore City firefighters helped rescue of a woman from a fully engulfed rowhouse in East Baltimore. While at the scene, one firefighter was attacked by a neighbor's job.

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At approximately 8:30 pm, fire department units responded to the 1400 block of E. Fayette Street in East Baltimore for a report of a house fire. Upon arrival units found a three story brick rowhouse fully engulfed with flames and heavy smoke conditions. Firefighters immediately established a water supply and began extinguishment operations. Using hand lines, members began to attack the fire at the ground level followed by ladder pipe operations.

As the fire grew in its intensity it was obvious that additional resources would be required to get a handle on the fire. The incident commander requested a second alarm assignment with additional units arriving on the scene within moments. While simultaneously extinguishing the fire, other members performed search and rescue operations when they located the body of an unconscious victim on the first floor in the rear of the building. The adult woman was quickly rescued and handed over to the care of paramedics who gallantly performed to resuscitate the patient and transported to Johns Hopkins Hospital in serious condition. It was noted that the patient suffered primarily smoke inhalation with little evidence of thermal burns.

With flames still raging, firefighters ascended to upper levels of the dwelling to apply an aggressive attack on the fire. Other firefighters performed ventilation operations, shutting off utilities and checking for extension of the fire in adjoining structures.

The bitten firefighter suffered non-life threatening injuries.

In the midst of low temperatures, firefighters fought against the elements to bring the fire under control in less than an hour.

It was not determined whether or not this home had working smoke alarms and the cause remains under investigation.

"The combined efforts of all members on this assignment were instrumental in limiting the spread of fire, protecting nearby structures and most importantly rescuing a victim from this burning building," said Fire Chief Jim S. Clack. "Our goal is to make certain that every household has a working smoke detector and a home evacuation plan that everyone in the home is familiar with,"