Betterton VFC Tanker 5 was the first to arrive. They found an old chicken coop 100% involved with fire. The fire had extended to and began to involve a nearby 2-story barn. Tanker 5 concentrated their initial firefighting efforts to protect and stop the fire impinging on the barn. Rock Hall VFC Engine-Tanker 7 arrived soon after and started active firefighting operations.

Deputy Chief 6 (Brad Russum) arrived, closely followed by Chestertown VFC Rescue-Engine 6. Rescue-Engine 6 dropped 500 feet of supply hose up the lane, to establish a water supply for Engine-Tanker 7, Tanker 5, and Rescue-Engine 6. Our crew went to work assisting the crew from Rock Hall VFC with fire attack and eventual overhaul. Chestertown VFC Tanker 6 arrived in short order at the end of the lane. Here, they picked up the supply line dropped by Rescue-Engine 6, sending water up to the fire. When Chestertown VFC Engine 6 arrived and the crew from this engine proceeded on foot to the fire operations area. Engine 6 then proceeded to establish a draft site on Langford Bay, near the Rock Hall Yacht Club. With that resource established, water supply ceased be a concern for this fire.

Thanks to the efforts of Tanker 5, fire damage to the exposed barn was limited in extent. Crews from Chestertown VFC and other mutual aid companies worked together to extinguish and overhaul the fire.

The Power Company was requested and sent a representative.

The fire marshal was also requested. The Maryland State Fire Marshals Office sent a representative. The FM is conducting a Cause & Origin Investigation into this fire. At the time of this release, no further information is available.

Companies and agencies dispatched, responding, and on-scene:

Rock Hall VFC

Betterton VFC

Chestertown VFC

Kennedyville VFC

Galena VFC

Church Hill VFC

Crumpton VFC

Sudlersville VFC

Cecilton VFC (Cecil County)

Kent & Queen Annes Rescue Squad

Kent County EMS

Delmarva Power

Maryland State Fire Marshals Office