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Modified 12-Nov-19
Created 21-Jan-19
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At around 0912 hours on January 21, 2019 Fire Box 20-1 was dispatched for a reported dwelling fire at 3106 Walbrook Avenue in northwest Baltimore. Located in the same block on the next street north of the Walbrook Station, Engine 20 and Truck 18 were first on the scene and reported smoke and fire showing from a large 2 ½ story frame house. Within minutes Battalion Chief 5, Earl Taft arrived on the scene and took Command and requested a working fire assignment. Companies entered the structure to make an interior attack and started a primary search for several occupants reported trapped inside. Once inside some of the fire was knocked down and crews advanced to the second floor. After several minutes fire was showing from windows on the side and rear. Meanwhile the three occupants were located outside and everyone that was inside was accounted for.
Overnight a severe cold snap went through the area and temperatures were in the low teens with heavy winds gusting 30-40 MPH making the wind chill well below zero. These fierce winds were fanning the fire that was now going through the walls and up to the attic. Companies were ordered to evacuate and begin exterior operations. As fast as the water was hitting the fire everything outside was immediately turning to ice. When Car 5, Acting Shift Commander Arnold Turner arrived on the scene he took over Command and asked for a second alarm. The wind was whipping through the building so hard, the fire was now blowing out of the attic and through the roof on Side C. The smoke was so thick on that side that visibility was near zero as companies were setting up large handlines attacking the fire on all four sides.
As the fire burned through the attic the roof collapsed into the second floor. Companies maintained a collapse zone around the structure and battled the fire for about 90 minutes before it was brought under control.
No injuries were reported and Fire Investigation was on the scene to determine the cause. The Red Cross was also on the scene to assist the displaced families.
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