At 4:45 p.m. on Thursday February 8, Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department (WVFD) Station 3 was called to the scene of a fire in the Bannister Neighborhood Community Center on Bannister Circle in St. Charles.
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Bannister Neighborhood Center |
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The Bay Net pictures by A. Dailey |
The fire began in the right rear room and quickly spread into the attic. When the Station 3 trucks arrived, firefighters met flames and heavy black smoke pouring out of the roof at the rear of the building. Additional trucks and firefighters arrived from La Plata and Bel Alton to assist because other local squads were already on the scenes of a fire in Prince George’s County and an accident in St. Charles on Post Office Road.
Lieutenant Jeff Duer (information officer) told the Bay Net that the fire was subdued without injury to personnel or civilians. It was far from an easy run, however. Windy, sub-freezing weather quickly turned ground-water into very hazardous ice patches; which did send the firefighters on several heavy falls.
Damages are estimated at over $300,000. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the state Fire Marshal’s office.
The Waldorf fire companies are manned entirely by volunteers. They receive extensive training, but no monetary compensation for their work. Donations and additional volunteers are always welcome. See http://waldorfvfd.com for information on ways you can support their efforts.
Anna Dailey is the Bay Net’s associate editor for Charles County, covering politics and education issues. To contact her about this article or other events comment below or email annadailey@thebaynet.com.
