A fire sprinkler system is equipped with sensors that activate when water begins to flow through the system. In the vernacular of the fire service, this is called a Waterflow Alarm. On its own merit, most Waterflow Alarms are good intent calls, warranting a single company response to investigate. Typically, when there has been a surge or drop in the water main pressure supplying the system, this trips the alarm. Other reasons include a faulty sensor sending a false signal, a broken sprinkler pipe, either from external damage, (or in winter) a frozen sprinkler pipe that broke and subsequently thaws, etc. Water moving through the system trips the alarm and sends a notification to an alarm monitoring agency, which in turn notifies the dispatch center for the jurisdiction where the alarmed system is located.

Deputy Chief 6 (Brad Russum) was the first arriving at 10:22 pm to find a heavy smoke condition, and a large amount of water coming from one of the processing buildings. (The water was coming from the sprinkler system, where multiple sprinkler heads were activated.) In this instance, the sprinkler did its job containing the fire, while the support system in place worked to bring emergency responders to the scene.

Deputy 6 requested a full box assignment dispatch, bringing multiple mutual aid companies to the scene. Personnel used our Knox Box key to access building keys, only accessible to emergency personnel, on site. This allows us to quickly access a structure without having to execute forcible entry, doing property damage to the structure. A Knox Box is a titanium alloy box, securely affixed to a structure. The Knox Box key we carry is secured inside the cabs of our equipment, and requires a password, unique to every member that may have reason to retrieve the key. To prevent unauthorized access, the system logs the identity and time of anyone accessing it.

After gaining access to the building, our crew found dense smoke, which was creating zero visibility. There was limited heat present. Using a TIC (Thermal Imaging Camera), the crew quickly located the fire around and involving a piece of processing equipment. They quickly extinguished the fire and proceeded to perform smoke removal.

As the business had been closed all day for Independence Day (closed since afternoon / evening on Wednesday, July 3) the situation was deemed a mystery, and possibly suspicious. The Fire Marshal was requested, and a representative from the Maryland State Fire Marshals Office came to the scene. He is performing an Origin & Cause Investigation. The results of that investigation were not available at this writing.

Because of the tall design of this structure, efficient ventilation proved challenging. Smoke, Carbon Monoxide, and other byproducts of combustion were trapped near the ceiling, resisting efforts to remove them. Multiple high-velocity ventilation fans were employed for the ventilation job. Meanwhile, with air quality constantly being monitored, personnel working inside the structure were forced to remain breathing air through their Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus until the Carbon Monoxide levels dropped to a safe level.

While we were committed to this incident, personnel and equipment from the Millington VFC (Community Fire Company) stood by at our station, against the possibility of another incident in our first due district.

There were no injuries, and we worked this incident for approximately three (3) hours.

Photographs by the Chestertown VFC. Media may use with attribution.

Companies dispatched and operating at this fire….

Chestertown VFC

Kennedyville VFC

Betterton VFC

Rock Hall VFC

Galena VFC

Church Hill VFC

Crumpton VFC

Kent & Queen Annes Rescue Squad

Kent County EMS

Maryland State Fire Marshals Office