» Video:Gary Reals reports
9 News has learned an investigation is underway into why Prince George's County Firefighters were fighting more than fires early Monday morning.
Departmental reports obtained by 9 News include claims by two career firefighters that someone deliberately shut off their air tanks and ripped off some of their protective gear while they fought the house fire on Standish Drive in Landover Hills.
The two firefighters, assigned to the Landover Hills station, received first and second degree burns. The reports claim that firefighters from the all-volunteer Kentland Station got into a battle over who was going to put out the fire.
One of the burned men, Captain John O'Brien wrote: "In all my years in the fire service, I have never seen so much 'on the scene' violence in the workplace, unprofessionalism and [disobedience] from other firefighters. How can we do our jobs when we have to look over our shoulders and worry about someone shutting off our air supply, ripping off our face pieces and helmets, and other unsafe acts?"
Volunteer firefighters from other stations that responded to the fire reported similar problems with the Kentland crew. The Kentland Volunteer Fire Department tells 9 News it is cooperating with the investigation.
Prince George's County Fire Department spokesman Mark Brady says an internal investigation is underway. Brady confirms that one of three firefighters involved in a related fight outside the burning home is on operational suspension.
The chief of the Bladensburg Volunteer Fire Department believes the allegations and attacks are serious enough to warrant a criminal investigation.
