Jan. 20--CUMBERLAND -- An estimated 100 firefighters who battled the early-morning fire Friday that claimed the lives of two sisters in a rowhouse complex in the 300 block of East Harrison Street were hampered in several ways, according to Cumberland Fire Department Capt. Tim Growden.
Growden directed the firefighting efforts of the four-alarm blaze that started in the first-floor living room of one of the five units in the complex at about 6:05 a.m.
A 34-year veteran city firefighter, Growden lamented the loss of life in Friday's fire as he spoke about eight hours after city firefighters and allied volunteer firefighters responded to the scene just off westbound Interstate 68 at the Maryland Avenue exit.
"It was a very difficult operation. The building had a tin roof. It was extremely icy. The firefighters did a good job and I am proud of them. I wish we would have had a better outcome," said Growden, who also has been a career member of the Bedford Road Volunteer Fire Department where he held many offices.
"As we left the station upon alert, the fire was upgraded to a working alarm and an aerial ladder was then brought to the station.
"The truck crew was first on the scene and attempted rescue and got one girl out. The guys overextended themselves to make that rescue. At the same time, two engine companies attacked the fire from the back of the building. It was the most difficult fire operation I have been involved in since serving as an incident commander," he said.
Three city firefighters suffered injuries and were treated at the Western Maryland Regional Medical Center before they were released from the emergency room. Three additional firefighters were injured and treated at the scene.
Growden said preliminary investigation indicated the fire originated in the rowhouse at 309 where the victims were located and then extended to 307. The fire also caused smoke damage to the adjoining unit at 305. The 301 and 303 units were undamaged.
Contact Jeffrey Alderton at [email protected].
Copyright 2012 - Cumberland Times-News, Md.
