At 11:58 pm on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, the Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company, along with multiple mutual aid companies, was dispatched for the structure fire in the 300 block of Cannon Street, between Cross Street and South Mill Street. 9-1-1 callers were reporting a shed on fire.
First arriving found one 12x12 shed 100% involved, a second 12x12 shed about 60% involved, along with the adjacent wooden privacy fence. Two other sheds experienced heat damage. There was severe heat impingement on an adjacent car, which had a car cover over it. The rear body of the car sustained severe, but not irreparable damage. The car cover was destroyed. After arriving, a Working Fire Dispatch was requested, which adds additional equipment to the incident.
Our Rescue-Engine 6 laid 900 feet of 5” supply hose from the corner of Cross and Cannon. Turning into the parking lot located between Cannon Street and High Street, the crew deployed a single 1-3/4” attack hose and proceeded to place a good knock down on the fire. Arriving mutual aid companies brought their crews to the scene where they assisted with wetting down and overhaul. (Overhaul is the time and labor-intensive process of ensuring the fire is completely out.) The crews from Church Hill VFC and Crumpton VFC remained on scene to assist our crew with repacking / reloading the 900’ of 5” hose we had dropped in from the hydrant. We are very appreciative to them for the assistance. Thank You!
Due to the circumstances being suspicious, the Fire Marshal was notified. A Deputy State Fire Marshal with the Maryland State Fire Marshals Office responded to the scene and is performing a Origin & Cause Investigation. At this writing, the results of that investigation are not available.
