Upper Marlboro, MD – The Prince George’s County fire Department reports that Tuesday, Feb/ 23 around 11:15 a.m. an alarm was requested as firefighters fought a significant fire that involved dozens of various sized storage lockers on both levels.
Storage lockers were found to contain a multitude of items but primarily loaded with furniture, boxes of clothes, paper products, etc. One locker had a car inside, others with mechanical equipment, work tools and lawn mowers.
At least two small explosions were heard during the firefight that demonstrates the dangers of fighting fires in storage facilities; you never know what’s inside of them. The explosions did not cause any further damage. Some firefighters were evaluated on the scene for possible injuries. However, no one was transported due to injury.
Fire Chief Marc S. Bashoor arrived on the scene shortly after the second alarm was sounded. He requested a third alarm, bringing additional firefighters to the scene to assist with overhaul and extinguishment.
There were about 40 fire/EMS units on the scene and 105 firefighters and medics. It required about two hours to bring the fire under control. The contents of several dozen storage lockers were destroyed with others sustaining water and smoke damage.
The southbound lanes of Crain Highway (Route 301) were closed during the fire as hose lines were stretched across the road and numerous pieces of apparatus and support vehicles were parked along both shoulders.
As a matter of standard operating procedure all firefighters are processed through a wellness and rehab area after working on the fire ground. Medics monitor firefighters’ vital signs and once within normal limits firefighters are returned to duty.
Two firefighters demonstrated signs of hypertension and were transported to a hospital for additional evaluation.
Prince George’s County Fire Investigators are searching for the cause of the fire.
The fire is believed to have started accidentally but the cause and origin will remain undetermined until after Investigators have concluded their work. Fire loss estimates are still being tabulated.
Numerous Fire/EMS Departments from across the region either assisted at the fire or filled in at empty Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Stations. Many thanks for their mutual aid assistance.
