Salisbury Fire Department

at 2340 hours Stations 16, 1 & 2 responded for a report of a house fire at 312 E. Vine St. Paramedic 1 quickly arrived on scene with a working fire. Engine 16, Tower 16 and Assistant Chief 1 arrived simultaneously and went to work attacking a well advanced fire. AC B. Records established Vine St. Command with a 1 1/2 story wood frame with fire showing from side B and heavy smoke conditions. Engine 16 established a water source and stretched a 1 3/4 line through the front door as Tower 16 went to work venting the roof. Engine 1 arrived and established a second water supply on side A. Engine 2 was directed by Command to check the basement on Side D where they found extension from the fire on Division 1. Crews struggled to get a knock on the fire due to the extremely heavy smoke conditions throughout Division 1 and the finished attic. Command ordered crews to back out and knock the visible fire from a window on Side B and then make another attempt to extinguish the fire. Approximately 7 minutes into the fire a woman reported two children were still inside the home. Command directed crews to aggressively search the forward apartment in this 2 units apartment house. In several minutes the mother confirmed the safety of the children as crews got the upper hand on this fire. A second alarm was sounded for additional manpower to the scene a to staff stations in the city. The Maryland State Fire Marshals Office was requested due to circumstances surrounding the fire. The cause is under investigation at this time. Units remained on scene until 0330 hours. Special thanks to Mr. Mark Filippelli for his excellent pictures.