Three Alarm Industrial Fire In Company 3's First Due - May 19, 2005

Three Alarm Industrial Fire In Company 3's First Due - May 19, 2005 - Rockville firefighters had their work cut out for them with a three alarm blaze in Company 3's area at the Lafarge Concrete Facility. At 1626 hours, units were dispatched for the report of the building on fire in the 14900 block of Southlawn Lane, box area 03-19. Hillandale Engine 241, who was on their way back from the Public Safety Training Academy, arrived on the scene while the incident was still being dispatched. Engine 241's nitial report was heavy fire showing from a four story concrete plant with significant exposure problems. An exterior attack was called for by Engine 241 because of fire involvement and concerns of collapse. The second alarm was sounded and moments later Company 3 arrived on the scene. Truck 3 assumed a position on side "C" because of electrical wires and immediately began ladder pipe operations and attempted to control the utilities. Rescue Engine 33 picked up a plug in front of the building and stretched its blitz-fire nozzle to the building. Engine 231 positioned on side "D" and also stretched their blitz-fire, Engine 211 supplied Truck 3's ladder pipe, and Aerial Tower 23 set up their aerial. Truck 3 and Rescue Engine 33 opened up the structure as best as possible for master stream access. Since there were considerable exposure problems the third alarm was eventually sounded. As second alarm units began arriving, they assisted crews with additional master streams. Aerial Tower 18 was able to position on side "D" and help reach the seat of the fire. The fire was controlled after about a half hour and extinguished completely after about a hour. Units remained on scene for overhaul operations and cleanup.