Halfway Responds To Shed Fire

On the night of April 4th, the Volunteer Fire Company of Halfway was alerted at 22:50 hours on a Task Force Assignment for a garage fire on Hershey Drive. Engine 261, Tower 26, and Ambulance 269 responded on the call along with units from Williamsport Fire & EMS and Funkstown Fire Company. Washington County Emergency Communications Center (ECC) received calls reporting a shed fire with the fire spreading. Engine 261 had fire showing as they approached the scene and immediately dropped their supply line as the ECC reported they were upgrading the assignment to a House Fire completing Box 26-2 as they were now receiving reports the fire had spread to the residence.

Engine 261 arrived and reported they had a fully involved shed. Firefighters on 261 quickly pulled their 1” ½ attack line and began their fire attack as Deputy Chief Drawbaugh arrived and established Command. Williamsport’s Assistant Chief William Ball arrived and conducted a 360 of the incident and reported to Command that they had two sheds involved along with a 6’ high privacy fence involved approximately 30’ long. A second attack line was deployed to assist with fire attack and the officer on Williamsport’s Engine 21 was assigned to be the Fire Attack Supervisor. Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control within 10 minutes of their arrival on the scene. Command reported the fire knocked down at 23:13 hours.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office. Damaged were estimated to be around $6,000 between the structure and its contents. The residence sustained heat damage as a result of the blaze. Firefighters from Washington County Special Operations checked the building and found no signs of extension. Fire department operations were able to be wrapped up shortly after midnight and all units were clear by 00:38 hours the next morning. Anyone with any information on Sunday’s incident are urged to contact the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office at (301) 766-3888.

The Volunteer Fire Company of Halfway responded on Sunday Night’s incident receiving assistance from Williamsport Fire & EMS (Co.2), Funkstown Fire Company (Co.10), Maugansville Goodwill Fire (Co.13), Washington County Special Operations (Co.20), Washington County Safety Officer, Washington County Emergency Support Services (Co.25), Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office, and Washington County Fire Police.