Photo by SSVFD President Johnie F. Roth, Jr.

On Saturday, June 1, 2019, just after 9AM, SSVFD units responded to what would turn out to be a 3 alarm fire in a three-story apartment complex in Camelback Village at the 3200 block of Spartan Road just off Olney-Laytonsville Road (Rt. 108). Arriving units found fire showing on the second floor of the structure.  Before the fire could be extinguished, it had extended to the floors above and below, but not laterally.  One resident was transported for evaluation. A firefighter was also transported by medical units for evaluation of non-life threatening injuries sustained when the firefighter fell partially through the burned floor on the second story while battling the blaze.  Prior to the arrival of the fire department, residents and bystanders banged on apartment doors to make sure all occupants were safely out of the impacted apartments.  The source of the fire is believe to be electrical in nature, reportedly an overheated stereo with insufficient clearance, but the fire department continued to investigate as is routine procedure in such fires.  It is estimated that the fire caused $1M in damage. On scene from Station 40 were Engine 740, Aerial Tower 740, Chief 704 (command).  SSVFD Acting Chief Mitch Dinowitz was incident commander.  MCFRS Chief Goldstein was on scene as well as MCFRS PIO Pete Piringer.

Assisting SSVFD were Laytonsville’s canteen. At the height of the response about 100 firefighters were on the scene.  Approximately three dozen residents will be displaced.  Red Cross was on the scene to assist displaced residents and a Ride On Bus stood by to transport.

The fire was covered by https://www.localdvm.com/news/i-270/maryland-man-risks-his-life-to-save-others-in-apartment-complex-fire/2045862745 and mentioned in “Daily Dispatch” courtesy of the Eastern Division of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the Maryland Fire Chief’s Association citing coverage by WUSA-TV 9 DC.