Just before midnight on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 (11:56 pm) the Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company was dispatched as automatic mutual aid to the Rock Hall VFC… Structure Fire at the “O Wash It” laundromat, 21327 Rock Hall Avenue. (This is the strip mall located next to Bayside Foods grocery store, and across the street from the Shore Stop. The 9-1-1 caller was reporting smoke and visible flame from the eaves of the structure.
We responded with Tower 6 and Tanker 6. Upon arrival, our crew supported the Rock Hall VFC interior crew, helping with the fire located mostly in the roof area. We also helped with opening the structure and clearing the smoke.
The “Working Fire Dispatch” was transmitted, summoning extra companies to help. We’re sure many here in Chestertown wondered what was going on, with multiple fire suppression apparatus (from nearby communities) responding through Chestertown “HOT” … meaning with lights, sirens, and horns.
A huge shout-out to the Millington VFC (Community Fire Company of Millington) for filling our station during this incident… maintaining fire and life safety coverage for our community. During this period, they were dispatched to the “Crash Investigation”, near Fairlee Road (Maryland 298) & Buck Neck Road. This incident was quickly placed in service. The owner of the phone called in to report they had dropped their phone. The phone, believing there had been a crash… transmitted a call for help. (This is happening quite a bit these days.)
