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Modified 25-Dec-24
Created 22-Sep-24
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For the first time in several years a large spectacular multiple alarm fire has struck Baltimore on September 22, 2024. On Sunday morning Sixth Battalion companies, including Engine 2, temporarily stationed at Steadman Station, and Battalion Chief 6 were out in the district training. Unfortunately Engine 23 was out of service for the day. Only Airflex 1 and the HazMat unit were in quarters at the time. Sometime after 0900 hours some of the members left in the firehouse started smelling and noticing smoke. One of them looked out through the window at the buildings across the street and saw heavy smoke engulfing several buildings in the unit block of south Eutaw Street with no apparatus on the scene yet. One of them called Communications to strike out the fire box. As they opened up the bay doors heavy black smoke was emanating from several 2 and 3-story commercial buildings. The main fire appeared to be in the “Jano Ethiopian Cuisine Restaurant” and “Doc’s Famous Wings” connected in the rear. Exposure B was a 2 and 3-story “Goddess Gentleman’s Club” and the 2-story “Thai Elephant Woc” was Exposure D. The fire building is a half block deep T-shaped building that wraps around the two other exposures in the rear and has another entrance on Lombard St. Next to that is a 3-story “Lombard Liquors” on that side including an apartment above. Heavy smoke was showing around all four buildings and it looked as if the whole block was on fire.
When the box was struck out at 0926 units from Steadman station were tied up with training a few blocks away and would be delayed in their response. Battalion Chief 2 arrived first and took Command. As he surveyed the situation he made it a working fire, followed by a second alarm at 0933. Exterior operations were established immediately, setting up ladder pipes and getting several towers into position. While units were operating firefighters were able to get into the two side exposures to check for extension. Command requested the third alarm at 0940. When Car 5 (Shift Commander) arrived he took over Command and asked for the fourth at 0951, and the fifth alarm at1000 hours. As units arrived they were able to access and set up on all four sides of the buildings. Downtown streets were strategically closed off along with the light rail system one block to the east. A baseball game was also scheduled at Oriole Park later that afternoon.
With several City engine companies shut down for manpower issues for the day, mutual aid was requested from surrounding jurisdictions. An engine from Brooklyn and a tower from Ellicott City responded to the fire. Units from Baltimore, Harford, Howard, AA, PG Counties, and BWI Airport responded into the City to fill the empty stations while the fire was being fought.
Several ladder pipes and two towers along with handlines and portable monitor pipes surrounded the fire pouring thousands of gallons of water into the blaze. More than 230 firefighters and personnel with more than 70 pieces of apparatus fought a hard battle until the fire was placed under control in about two hours. Once all of the hot spots were put down and it was deemed safe to enter the buildings Fire Investigation would begin their investigation of the cause. A total of five businesses and an apartment above one of the businesses suffered various degrees of damage.
No injuries were reported.
When the box was struck out at 0926 units from Steadman station were tied up with training a few blocks away and would be delayed in their response. Battalion Chief 2 arrived first and took Command. As he surveyed the situation he made it a working fire, followed by a second alarm at 0933. Exterior operations were established immediately, setting up ladder pipes and getting several towers into position. While units were operating firefighters were able to get into the two side exposures to check for extension. Command requested the third alarm at 0940. When Car 5 (Shift Commander) arrived he took over Command and asked for the fourth at 0951, and the fifth alarm at1000 hours. As units arrived they were able to access and set up on all four sides of the buildings. Downtown streets were strategically closed off along with the light rail system one block to the east. A baseball game was also scheduled at Oriole Park later that afternoon.
With several City engine companies shut down for manpower issues for the day, mutual aid was requested from surrounding jurisdictions. An engine from Brooklyn and a tower from Ellicott City responded to the fire. Units from Baltimore, Harford, Howard, AA, PG Counties, and BWI Airport responded into the City to fill the empty stations while the fire was being fought.
Several ladder pipes and two towers along with handlines and portable monitor pipes surrounded the fire pouring thousands of gallons of water into the blaze. More than 230 firefighters and personnel with more than 70 pieces of apparatus fought a hard battle until the fire was placed under control in about two hours. Once all of the hot spots were put down and it was deemed safe to enter the buildings Fire Investigation would begin their investigation of the cause. A total of five businesses and an apartment above one of the businesses suffered various degrees of damage.
No injuries were reported.
© Howard Meile III