Company 1 crews were kept busy on Saturday, May 31, 2025. Just after 1 a.m., Engine 11 and Ambulance 18 responded mutual aid to Anne Arundel County for an automatic fire alarm. Several medical calls followed along with an area box response to Prince Frederick and an additional fire alarm in Richfield Station.

At 1936 hours, Engine 11 and Tower 1 were dispatched to Company 6’s area for a structure fire. They arrived to find a small fire in the kitchen of the occupancy that was quickly extinguished.

A short time later, Area Box 104 was sounded for a structure fire in the 4000blk of Summer City Boulevard. Crews arrived to find a one-story, single-family dwelling with fire showing from a window on the Delta side of the structure. All occupants had evacuated prior to the fire department’s arrival. The crews quickly deployed a 1 1/2” attack line and extinguished the fire before it was able to extend beyond the room of origin. Chief 1A had command. There were no reported injuries and the family was referred to the Red Cross for assistance.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Maryland State Fire Marshal.

Outcomes reinforced at this fire include the value of working smoke alarms, the importance of the closed door, and the wisdom of quickly evacuating the structure. A working smoke alarm alerted the occupants to the fire. The occupants located the fire behind a closed bedroom door and remembered to pull the door closed after discovering the fire. They immediately exited. These actions kept the fire primarily confined to the room of origin with minimal extension into the hallway, and saved the lives of all inside.

Working smoke alarms, closed doors, and rapid exit saves lives.