On Monday, March 5, 2007 at 1018 hours, Sussex Emergency Operations Center alerted Stations 81 (Laurel), 71 (Blades), 74 (Delmar) and Sussex County EMS Medic 102 for a reported structure fire on Bi-State Boulevard. While units were responding, Sussex EOC notified 81 Command (Assistant Chief A. Schweitzer) that they believed the incident to be a working fire. Once on the scene, Assistant Chief Schweitzer was advised by the homeowner that her dogs and turtle were still inside the residence.
The crew from Engine 81-2 arrived and advanced two 1-3/4" hand lines into the structure while truck crews from Stations 74 and 14 (Sharptown, MD) laddered the dwelling. Crews encountered fire on the porch outside the structure with slight extension. While the fire was being knocked, crews began to look for the pets. Firefighters Kevin Brumbley and Todd Smith removed two dogs out of the heavy smoke conditions, and one turtle was also removed. After investigation, it is believed the fire started outside the structure with discarded smoking material with estimated damage at approximately $5,000.00.
