November 25, 2015 S. Wayne Carter Jr. Carroll County Times
More than 50 firefighters from 10 companies in four counties
were needed to get an early Wednesday morning fire under control in
Westminster.
No injuries were reported, and it's unclear if anyone was
home at the time of the blaze, according to an emailed report from Westminster
Vol. Fire Company spokesman Kevin Dayhoff…
The Office of the State Fire Marshal is investigating the
cause of the fire, which appears to have originated in the carport of the
one-story, single family home in the 500 block of Old Baltimore Road off
Malcolm Drive, according to Dayhoff. The fire quickly spread to the adjacent
house and a nearby vehicle and equipment trailer.
Firefighters received the call around 1:33 a.m., were on the
scene by 1:37 a.m. and had the fire under control within an hour, according to
Dayhoff.
About 50 firefighters from Westminster, Reese, Pleasant
Valley, Gamber, Hampstead and Sykesville companies were dispatched in addition
to firefighters from Reisterstown and Glyndon in Baltimore County, a unit from
York County and an air support unit from Howard County, according to Dayhoff.
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Please be fire-safe out there for the holidays. As we were wrapping-up
operations from the Old Baltimore Road fire, many of us exchanged our goodbyes and
“Happy Holidays,” and in the dry dark humor of firefighters, many folks remarked
how much it is a drag to see each other in the middle of the night.
After-all, face it, when we see each other in the middle of
the night it is often as a result of a fire, traffic accident, illness or
family tragedy. One firefighter told the truth, “Oh this is the season when we
will see a lot of each other.” Sadly it is true. Although more research is
needed, it always seems that fires and accidents increase in number during the
holiday season. Be safe out there.
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Update: 3:25 p.m., Nov. 25, 2015
No injuries were reported. There were “two individuals at
home when the fire started,” according to DSFM Bruce D. Bouch, director of
public education and media affairs with the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
According to a recent release by the fire marshal’s office,
the cause of the fire was “Accidental due to ashes being placed in a plastic
bag and put next to the shed.”
“During the winter months and the holiday season, it is
especially important to dispose of all fireplace, cooking grill and wood stove
ashes safely in a fireproof container away from the house and certainly away
from anything combustible. Pour some water on the ashes – be fire safe to
protect your property and your family,” said Dayhoff
“It is important to note that the folks who were home at the
time of this fire got out safely because they had a working smoke alarm and the
alarm alerted them that there was a fire... Take this opportunity to check your
smoke alarm before friends and family visit for the holidays,” said Dayhoff
Firefighters and first responders see a little too much of
each other during the holiday season. The fire marshal’s office and the
Westminster fire department take this opportunity to remind you to not have
first responders over to your house this holiday season as uninvited guests.
“Although we are very friendly, this time of the year, we are
way too serious to attend your holiday get-together in the event of a fire.
Ensure your guests are aware of all available exits if a fire would occur… The
leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking. Stay in the
kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the
food. And if you are going to be careless, have extra food available in case 50
firefighters need to stop by in the middle of the night to come tromping
through your house. Happy holidays from your local Carroll County fire
department of the fire marshal’s office.
Westminster fire department chaplain and public information officer Kevin E. Dayhoff
