Elkton, Md. – Two firefighters from Aetna, Hose, Hook, and Ladder were injured during a Sunday house fire in Elkton, Maryland.
At 12:39 this afternoon, Sunday, March 10, 2019, Aetna Hose, Hook & Ladder Company was dispatched to assist the Singerly Fire Company of Elkton, MD on a residential structure fire on Appleton Drive. Singerly crews arrived to find heavy smoke and fire showing from a single story, single family dwelling which had been divided into at least two apartments, according to Aetna Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Sands.
Sands said Engine 9 arrived as the second engine and advanced a hand line into the left apartment while Singerly’s engine advanced a line into the right apartment. Crews were met with a well-advanced fire requiring Ladder 9’s crew to ventilate the roof in order for crews to advance inside.
During the blaze, two Aetna firefighters sustained none-life-threatening injuries. While making the initial attack, one firefighter’s structural firefighting gear was severely damaged by fire but fortunately sustained only minor burns, said Sands. The other was injured in a fall.
Both firefighters were transported to Christiana Hospital by Singerly Fire Company ambulances, were treated and subsequently released. “We are extremely fortunate that the injuries were not more severe”, said Sands. Christiana and Elsmere Fire Companies covered Aetna’s district while they were supporting Singerly.
The Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal along with the ATF is handling the investigation.
