On Saturday, December 31, 2022, at 9:06 am, the Chestertown VFC, along with multiple mutual aid companies, was alerted for the “Working Fire Dispatch” in the 8800 block of Fairlee Road (Maryland 298), in Fairlee near Jones Cut-Off Road. Chief 7 (Rock Hall VFC) was first on-scene with a 30x30garage fully involved with fire. He also noticed smoke was coming from house.
First arriving equipment found the garage 100% involved, all but falling in on itself. They also found active fire in-progress inside the house. Crews immediately went to work with fire suppression efforts on the house. An interior attack was made. Heat and smoke conditions in the home were such that vertical ventilation was required, which means firefighters cut a vent hole in the roof.
Many wonder why we do vertical ventilation, and marvel at the additional damage done to the structure. Performing vertical ventilation promotes faster fire suppression, thus reducing overall damage from fire, smoke, and water.
The distance between the house and garage was some 40’ - 50’. Given this unusual distance, the fire marshal was requested. This fire is under investigation by the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office. At the time of this release, the fire marshal is trying to locate the owner / occupant(s) of this property. There is no information about resident displacement / needs.
Delmarva Power responded to cut the electric utility to the property.
Sixty (60) firefighters responded to this fire.
Companies operated at this incident for approximately four (4) hours. There were no injuries.
