Kennedyville’s Rescue-Engine 4 arrived first with fire and heavy smoke showing. Our Tower 6 was the first out the door, with a staff of 5 personnel. (We also sent an engine and our tanker.) Upon arrival, Tower 6 split their crew and deployed two 1-3/4” hose lines and supported the fire attack already initiated by the crew of Rescue-Engine 4. As the house has been vacant for an extended period, the integrity of the first floor was compromised. Utilizing ground ladders off Tower 6, our crews bypassed the first floor and climbed to the second floor to get after the fire there and in the attic space. This was a rare example of everything going right. Usually, we must deal with circumstances throwing us a curve ball, forcing us to improvise, adapt and overcome.

With the help of multiple incoming mutual aid companies, short work was made of this fire! The duration of this incident was just over two hours.

Beginning early in this fire, Augustine Herman Highway (Maryland 213) in Kennedyville was closed to traffic. This closure was managed by Kent County Fire Police.

Delmarva Power was requested to secure power to the fire structure. This proved unnecessary as the structure was vacant. The Fire Marshal was requested. A representative of the Maryland State Fire Marshals Office arrived and is completing an Origin & Cause investigation. The results of that investigation were not available at this writing.

There were no injuries to civilians or firefighting personnel. The Kent & Queen Annes Rescue Squad, and Kent County EMS, established a Rehab (rehabilitation) section in the adjacent parking lot of the Kennedyville VFC fire station. Here, those firefighters that had worked inside the fire building were medically evaluated and provided refreshments.

Photographs by Chestertown VFC and the Cecilton VFC. Media may use photos with attribution. Please see the individual photos for credits.