At 1948 hrs calls began pouring into the Frederick County 911 center reporting a house on fire in the 15600 Block of Oak Orchard Road. Seconds later Box alarm 17-39 was struck bringing units from both Carroll and Frederick Counties to battle the blaze. First arriving Engine 101 found a 2 1/2 story single family dwelling with heavy fire on the Charlie Side, Captain 10 (T. Coe) established the Oak Orchard Road Command and requested the Safety Task Force. Crews promptly pulled two attack lines to the rear of the structure just as a propane tank vented and began to significantly feed the fire. As additional units arrived crews were able to knock down the exterior surface fire and began to mount an interior fire attack. After a 20 minute firefight crews were removed from the structure as the fire took hold of the 2nd floor and attic area. Command placed several hand lines, portable master streams as well Tower 3's ladder pipe in service to knock the fire back. Due to no fire hydrants being in the area water was drawn out of Sam's Creek in two locations by Brush 105 and Engine 142 to sustain the fire attack that exceeded 1,000 gallons of water per minute at its height. Once the flames were tamed crews were sent back in the structure to extinguish remaining pockets of fire. NWFD Units operated on the scene for 4 hours prior to returning to service. Our thoughts are with the 3 occupants displaced by the fire who are being assisted by the Red Cross. The Frederick County Fire Marshall's office is investigating the cause of the fire.
