As a city workday ended with the setting of the sun, the Greek and Highlandtown communities were shaken after a building fire erupted in the 900 block of South Grundy Street in Southeast Baltimore.
On May 9, 2007, around 5:35 P.M., 911 calls rang out in the Baltimore City Fire Department Communications Center: "There's a lot of smoke coming from a building on Grundy Street." "There's a big fire in a building on Grundy and Dillon street." "It looks like a large building on fire in the 900 block of Grundy." From dispatch: "Engine 41, Squad 11, Engine 51, Engine 5, Engine 50 as the RIT (rapid intervention team), Truck 3, Truck 20, Battalion Chief 1, Battalion Chief 2, Safety Officer 2 and Medic 10 respond to box alarm 41-7, 900 block of South Grundy Street for the report of a building fire."
Units arrived on the scene to find a one-story brick warehouse with heavy fire and smoke. First-in units established a water supply and began a rapid attack on the fire. Battalion Chief 1 performed a scene survey, updated the initial report of a one-story brick warehouse to be fully involved with fire through the roof, and determined that additional manpower and resources were needed, so he requested a second-alarm assignment. "Engine 6, Engine 27, Squad 54, Truck 2, EMS 3, FIB (Fire Investigation Bureau), PIO (public information officer) respond to second alarm of fire, 900 block of South Grundy Street for a building."
As the fire continued to rage, flames reached heights of nearly 100 feet with a plume of smoke that could be seen across the city's skyline. As spectators lined the perimeter of the fireground, heavy smoke descended on the neighborhood literally camouflaging them to silhouettes. During the height of the fire and the potential conditions that were present, the department erred on the side of caution and began to evacuate nearby homes. With the assistance of the Office of Emergency Management, neighbors were contacted and informed of the impending incident and recommended temporary relocating. At the time of the fire, it was determined that only two residents were evacuated.
With handlines, monitor pipes and master streams from ladder trucks in operation, the fire held its position. To get the advantage on this intense fire, a third alarm was requested. "Engine 43, Engine 35, Truck 12, Truck 15 and Medic 2 respond to third alarm building fire, 900 block of South Grundy Street, box alarm 41-7." As many as 35 pieces of apparatus, 80 firefighters, paramedics and command staff were now engaged in fire suppression operations. The fire was placed under control in just under three hours and its cause remained under investigation.
KEVIN CARTWRIGHT is chief public information officer for the Baltimore City, MD, Fire Department.
