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Hagerstown, MD- On July 15th emergency crews from Hagerstown Departments responded at 12:48 hours for a reported apartment fire at 614 West Washington Street in the west end of town. Western Enterprise Engine 4 arrived directly after dispatch to find heavy smoke coming from the structure. Captain Grimm from HFD arrived directly after Engine 4 and confirmed they had a working fire.

Captain Grimm assessed the situation and immediately placed Washington Street Command into effect and requested the Air Unit and a Medic Unit to the scene. During the initial size up of the fire it was found that the fire was spreading into adjacent structures. Command immediately requested a second alarm at 12:54 hours.

Crews were faced with fire and smoke conditions at four different addresses on West Washington Street. Fire was involved at 614, 616 and 612 and the residents at 610 had heavy smoke in their building. The fire at 614 and 616 was so heavy crews had to evacuate the structure. Command had the evacuation tone hit and the air horn signal given by units on the scene at 13:45 hours.

Crews fighting the blaze were faced with extreme heat from both the fire and humid weather conditions. Multiple firefighters were treated on the scene for heat-related symptoms. Due to this problem, command requested manpower pieces from multiple companies throughout the county to the scene as well as three addition Medic Units to the scene.

With the additional manpower received, crews were able to gain control of the fire within two hours of the initial dispatch. Command was able to report the fire out at 16:48 hours. Crews remained on the scene for overhaul operations for about an hour. The Red Cross also responded to assist over a half dozen residents who were displaced by the fire.

Hagerstown Fire Department crews on the call were Western Enterprise Engine 4 and Truck 4, Antietam Engine 2, First Hagerstown Hose Engine 1, South End Engine 5, Juniors Engine 3, Pioneer Hook & Ladder Truck 1, and Utility 3. Hagerstown crews were assisted by Community Rescue Service Co.75, Longmeadow Fire Co.27, Halfway Fire and EMS Co.26, Maugansville Fire Co.13, Funkstown Fire Co.10, Clearspring Fire Co.4, Smithsburg Rescue Co.79, Washington County Special Operations 20, Washington County Air Unit 25, Washington County Rehab Unit 255 and The Washington County Red Cross Chapter. While tied up on the call; Leitersburg Fire Co.9, Smithsburg Fire Co.7, Clearspring Co.4, Franklin County’s Greencastle Co.3 and Williamsport Truck 2 covered calls in the Hagerstown area.