On Saturday, December 7, 2019 at approximately 6:50 pm, the Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company was dispatched as automatic mutual aid to the Rock Hall Volunteer Fire Company for a structure fire in the 5600 block of Circle Park Drive, which is located off Boundary Avenue in the Town of Rock Hall. Rock Hall VFC units responded quickly and arrived to find a manufactured home with fire showing at the rear of the residence.

Rock Hall VFC crews reacted swiftly and contained the fire to the rear of the home. Crews from Chestertown VFC Engine 6, Tower 6 and Rescue 6 arrived and were assigned to assist and support the Rock Hall VFC crews with overhaul. Overhaul is the detailed process of ensuring that every single hot spot and ember has been extinguished. While Chestertown VFC crews were busy in Rock Hall, Queen Annes County Engine 71 (Crumpton VFC) transferred to our fire station. This enables us to continue providing first-rate fire protection to you, our community.

At the time of the fire, the homeowner was away. This fire has an excellent fire safety example attached. Before leaving, the homeowner had closed the door to the back bedroom, the probable room of fire origin. As a result, the fire was contained completely to the back of the home. The rest of the home received smoke damage. We constantly preach the value of keeping bedroom doors closed when you sleep, and this incident demonstrates that importance. When a fire occurs, you need time to become aware of the fire and then exit safely. Time is critical! With a working Smoke Alarm in place and your bedroom door closed, you have satisfied this need for time. Open doors allow rapid spread of flame, smoke and the deadliest component of a fire in the home, carbon monoxide.

During the holidays, there is always an increased fire risk. The source could be the Christmas Tree, decorative candles or unattended cooking. Every year, somewhere in the United States, injuries and deaths occur because of fires in the home. Families are displaced. In this holiday season, as well as the rest of the year, practice fire safe house-keeping habits, make sure you have working smoke alarms, an escape plan, a meeting place outside the home, and please... Keep your bedroom door closed when you sleep.

The cause of this fire has not been released. The Maryland State Fire Marshals Office responded to the scene and conducted an Origin & Cause Investigation. There were no injuries to civilians or emergency personnel as a result of this fire.