On Wednesday, July 20, 2011, at approximately 9:15 am, the Dunkirk Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad (Co.5) along with Huntingtown (Co. 6) and North Beach (Co. 1) were dispatched to a fire at the McDonalds in Dunkirk. There was light smoke coming from the freezer area. Dunkirk was able to extinguish the fire quickly.
This was a very good thing; as Huntingtown units arrived on the scene in Dunkirk, there was another fire reported in Chesapeake Beach for a boat fire at 8068 Windward Key Drive. With Dunkirk handling the McDonalds fire situation, the North Beach (Co. 1) and Huntingtown (Co. 6) station responded to the boat fire in Chesapeake Beach along with units from Anne Arundel County (Co. 9).
As the first officers arrived on the scene, they noticed a fully involved fire to about a 35 – 40 feet sail boat. Other boats docked in the same area were at risk as well. Additional tankers were request, just in case the situation required them.
The fire had to be attack from the dock as it was unsafe to board the boat. After about 20 – 30 minutes, the fire had been placed under control and all tankers from other stations were cancelled.
Within 45 minutes all units were released except North Beach (Co. 1) who remained on the scene to set up foam operation to be done on the boat. Other units filled in at North Beach and Huntingtown until they were able to get back in service.
