On Tuesday, March 25 at approximately 1:45 p.m., the Anne Arundel County, Md. Fire Communications center began receiving calls for a reported dwelling fire in the 100 block of Longfellow Dr. in the Millersville section of the County.
A first alarm assignment of three engines, two trucks, one squad, one paramedic unit and a Battalion Chief were dispatched. Firefighters arrived within six minutes and encountered a two story single family dwelling heavily involved in fire and immediately requested a second alarm assignment bringing a total of 49 firefighters to the scene.
Unfortunately, the fire in the original structure was advanced on arrival and firefighters employed a defensive attack while protecting the exposures. Homes on the A/D and A/B corners were severely exposed and sustained damage but firefighters were able to keep the fire from extending into either structure.
Fortunately, there were no injuries to civilians as the home was occupied at the time of the fire. The fire was brought under control by 3 p.m. The cause of the fire in under investigation, although investigators do not believe the fire to be suspicious.
Responders should be aware of the extreme dangers posed by engineered construction features and lightweight building materials. This home was occupied at the time of the event and the call was answered promptly. By the time firefighters arrived, the original structure had already begun to collapse.
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