Greenbelt, Maryland-- Wednesday evening, April 19, 2006, Prince George's County Firefighters and Paramedics were alerted for smoke inside of the GNC Store at the Greenway Shopping Center in Greenbelt.
A bird's nest in the facade of the store had ignited and caused smoke to fill the store. Firefighters quickly handled the situation and were in the process of returning.
It was just after 10:00 PM when Public Safety Communications dispatched a reported house fire in the 5800 Block of Seminole Street in nearby Berwyn Heights. Several fire/EMS units at the Greenway Shopping Center were dispatched on the assignment. One of those units dispatched was Tower 31.
Tower 31, Beltsville Fire/EMS Station 31, is a 1996 Pierce Bronto that has a 134-foot articulating tower, the largest in the County.
As Tower 31 made a left hand turn to travel west on Greenbelt Road it rolled onto it's side and slid up against a curb separating the 7500 Block of Greenbelt Road from the ramp leading from north-bound Baltimore Washington Parkway.
The vehicle came to rest on its right hand side.
Fortunately, the four firefighters on-board were wearing seat belts and personal protective fire fighting gear, probably preventing serious injuries. All four personnel were able to leave the flipped fire unit and did not appear to have suffered any injuries.
As a precaution they were transported to an area hospital for an evaluation and are expected to be released tonight. A City of Greenbelt Police Officer examining the crash scene stated that speed, momentum and weight were all contributing factors in this single-vehicle crash.
No charges were placed against the vehicle operator. An investigation into the exact cause of the accident is on-going.
Al Schwartz, Volunteer Chief of the Beltsville Fire EMS Station, stated that the vehicle was purchased for $800,000 in 1996. The extent of damage to the vehicle and equipment will not be known until after a through examination, however, cosmetic and structural damage seemed significant.
The house fire in Berwyn Heights was a "working fire" with units arriving to heavy smoke coming the second floor of a two-story single family home. A fire appears to have started in bedroom with extension throughout the second floor. One occupant is displaced and was assisted by the County Office of Emergency Management. The cause of the fire is under investigation and a damage estimate was not immediately available.
