Home»BALTIMORE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT»INCIDENTS»2019 Fires and Incidents»2-Alarms 3622 W. Forest Park Ave 1-6-19

On Sunday, January 6, 2019 around 3:30 PM Baltimore City Fire Communications began receiving numerous phone calls reporting a dwelling on fire in the vicinity of Callaway and Forest Park Avenues in the Forest Park community of northwest Baltimore.
Fire Box 40-40 was dispatched at 1541 hours and the first due firehouse with Squad 40, Truck 12, and Battalion Chief 5 all arrived to find a very large 2 ½ story frame Victorian style house located at 3622 W. Forest Park Avenue with heavy smoke pushing out of the front of the dwelling. Heavy fire was present in the rear basement and first floor. Battalion Chief 5, Arlen Doles assumed Command and requested a working fire assignment to be dispatched. Companies began an interior attack but were quickly withdrawn as fire appeared to be in the walls and ceilings around them.
They began to set up ladder pipes in the front and side as Engine 13 directed their monitor pipe into the basement and first floor windows from the rear alley. As the fire was intensifying smoke was so heavy that you could not even see the house or yard on Side A. At 1552 hours Command requested the second alarm to be struck out and companies bring additional water to the scene. At 1554 hours a special call was requested for the Water Tower and several more engine companies to supply the tower. When they arrived several companies on Side B were relocated so the Tower could be positioned to cover that side and the roof area.
The fire in the basement was being fed by an active natural gas leak and BGE was called to the scene to shut down the gas line. They had to dig up the street to locate the supply line and shut it down. The fire continued to make its way through the walls and eventually broke through the roof. The fire was brought under control in 2 ½ hours.
One firefighter was reported injured with non-life threatening injuries. There were no other injuries and the house was found to be vacant.