At about 6:15pm on Saturday, August 2nd, Engine Company 1 was dispatched to the 3900 block of Kennedy Street in Hyattsville for a reported alarm sounding. While enroute, dispatchers advised there were additional reports of smoke and upgraded the assignment adding units from Bladensburg, Riverdale, Chillum and Bunker Hill, along with Ambulance 1.
Engine 1 arrived on the scene with smoke pushing from the eaves and second story windows. The crew quickly advanced the crosslay into the finished attic and attacked the room and contents fire. Units from surrounding companies arriving quickly and pulled additional lines, conducted searches and controlled utilities. The first-in truck companies also did an exceptional job throwing ladders to windows on all sides of the home.
With the fire quickly contained, crews were able to avoid additional complications due to solar panels on the roof — which present unique challenges for ventilation as well as hazards for interior crews if fire conditions deteriorate and destabilize the roof structure. The NFPA has a report on firefighter safety and solar panels here.
An additional special service, Rescue Engine 33, and the Working Fire Dispatch, bringing additional command officers and a medic unit, were also on scene. Chief 12, as the Volunteer Services Commander, had the incident command.
Units from the HVFD cleared the scene just after 7:30 p.m. The cause of the fire was under investigation and there were no reported injuries to civilians or firefighters.
Photos Courtesy HyattsvilleLife.com
More Photos: HyattsvilleLife.com
