Firefighter Critically Hurt In PG

Four firefighters sustained injuries, one critical, in a house fire late this afternoon in Oxon Hill.
Just after 4:30 PM, Sunday, February 22, 2004, Prince George’s County Firefighters were dispatched to the 5000 block of Roseld Court in Glassmanor for a report of a house fire. The first arriving engine from Oxon Hill Fire/EMS Station 42 advised of a 2-story with basement end unit triplex with heavy fire showing from the basement.

Firefighters from Station 42 and Silver Hill Fire/EMS Station 29 stretched hose lines to start an interior attack on the fire.

The fire had now consumed the first floor as intense heat and thick black smoke started to rise to the second floor. The first arriving ladder truck was Quint 21 from Oxon Hill Fire/EMS Station 21. The crew from Quint 21 proceeded to the second floor to perform a search and rescue for possible victims.

A short time after their arrival on the second floor a "MAYDAY" radio transmission was made by a firefighter stating he was trapped in a second floor bedroom. Fellow crewmembers fought through the intense heat and blinding smoke to locate the downed firefighter.

Once located, the firefighter had gone unconscious and displayed burns to his face and hands. The firefighters face piece, which provides fresh breathing air, had become dislodged during entrapment, a fellow firefighter removed his own face piece and placed it over the face of the injured firefighter to provide a blast of fresh air. Firefighters removed the injured firefighter out of a second floor bedroom window and to paramedics by way of a ground ladder. A Maryland State Police Helicopter landed at Fire/EMS Station 42 and transported the critically injured patient to the Burn Unit at the Washington Hospital Center.

Two firefighters involved in the rescue were also transported to the Burn Unit for non-life threatening burns, one is being admitted the other was treated and released. A fourth firefighter was transported to the Burn Unit after discovering minor burns; he was treated and released.

Prince George’s County Fire Chief Ronald D. Blackwell remained at the Burn Unit with the wife and family members of the firefighter.

The critically injured firefighter is 34 years of age, a Fire Lieutenant and 15 year veteran of the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department. He is currently assigned to Oxon Hill Fire/EMS Station 21 and was riding onboard Quint 21. At 9:00 PM he was listed in critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit. The name will not be released until additional family members have been notified.

The fire was knocked down in about 20 minutes and caused $55,000 in damages.

There were two residents at home when the fire started and were able to escape prior to the fire departments arrival. The three homes in this triplex will be displaced as a result of the fire and are being assisted by the Office of Emergency Management. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.