On the morning of March 16th, Washington County Emergency Communications received calls reporting a Chimney Fire at 11029 Plumwood Circle. Units due on Funkstown Box 10-7 were dispatched out on the call at 10:47 hours. Washington County received the call from the residence reporting the house filling with smoke which was coming from the bricks of the hearth around the fireplace as additional calls came into the Communications Center from the Alarm Company reporting Smoke Detector activations on the main floor of the residence.

The first in Engine was Engine 101 out of Funkstown who arrived to find a 4 story, large residential structure and established Plumwood Command. Upon investigation Engine 101 found what appeared to be fire in the walls with a smoke condition that was quickly filling the house. Command immediately requested the Safety Assignment to be started.

Firefighters made entry to begin searching for the fire. Interior crews were able to find fire in the ceiling of the basement just below the area of the fireplace as Hagerstown Battalion Chief Adam Hopkins arrived and was passed the command. Crews worked quickly to get the bulk of the fire knocked in the basement, but were faced with extension issues due to the construction of the house. Chief Hopkins immediately recognized the need for additional personnel due to the size of the home and requested two additional Engine Companies and an additional Ladder Truck to the scene.

Firefighters worked opening void spaces checking the residence as basement crews worked to fully extinguish the fire. Firefighters were faced with an extensive search to check the house due to the size of the home and the number of void spaces the fire had that it could travel throughout the house. Chief Hopkins requested a 2nd Alarm to assist with the extensive overhaul operations. Firefighters were committed on the scene for nearly three hours working to ensure the fire was fully extinguished.

Investigators from the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office responded out to Tuesday’s incident. The fire caused an estimated $85,000 in damages between the structure and its contents. The cause of the blaze has not yet been determined and currently remains under investigation. No injuries were reported during the incident and the family was not displaced and had no need for assistance.

Over 70 Emergency Responders from multiple departments responded to the incident Tuesday morning. Funkstown Volunteer Fire Company (Co.10) responded receiving assistance on the scene from HFD Independent Juniors (Eng 3), HFD First Hagerstown Hose (Eng 1), HFD Pioneer Hook & Ladder (Trk 3), Mt. Aetna Fire (Co.16), Maugansville Goodwill Fire (Co.13), Smithsburg Volunteer Fire (Co.7), Washington County Special Operations (Co.20), Community Rescue Service (Co.75), HFD Battalion Chief Hopkins (BC3), Volunteer Fire Company of Halfway (Co.26), Longmeadow Volunteer Fire (Co.27), Leitersburg Volunteer Fire (Co.9), Sharpsburg Volunteer Fire (Co.1), Williamsport Fire & EMS (Co.2), HFD Antietam Fire (Eng 2), Boonsboro Fire (Co.6), Potomac Valley Fire (Co.11), Community Fire Company of District 12 Fairplay (Co.12), Washington County Emergency Support Services (Co.25), Washington County Division of Emergency Services, Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Safety Officer, Washington County Fire Police, and the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office. Additional assistance was received by companies transferring crews into area stations to cover the area from Thurmont Guardian Hose (Frederick Co.10), Waynesboro Ambulance (Franklin EMS Co.2), and Greencastle Fire Hose (Franklin Co.3). Additional transfers came in from both Sharpsburg Company 1 and Fairplay Company 12 but were pulled to the scene to assist.