On January 21, 2024, at 5:36 PM, Reese & Community Volunteer Fire Company was alerted to assist Westminster Fire Department with a 3-09 box house fire in the 1700 block of Sykesville Road in Westminster.

Reese VFC Engine 91, Engine 92, Rescue Squad 9, Engine Tanker 94, and Medic 98 responded to the call and stayed on the scene for several hours to assist area departments on the fire ground. Thank you to ET 8-4 (Union Bridge) and Engine 441 (Herford) for filling in at Reese VFC while we were on the scene of this incindent.

According to the Westminster Fire Department's statement by PIO Kevin Dayhoff, "Over 60 Carroll County firefighters with 20 pieces of firefighting equipment fought sub-freezing temperatures, snow, and ice to put out a stubborn house fire in the 1700 unit block of Sykesville Road south of Westminster Sunday evening.

The Carroll County Emergency Communications Center was first alerted to a reported house fire at approximately 5:35 p.m. Sunday. Upon arrival, firefighters observed a 2-1/2 story single family residence with smoke showing, and a working fire in the attic area of the home coming through the roof. The residents of the family successfully escaped the home with no reported injuries.

Firefighters from Westminster, Manchester, Reese, New Windsor, Gamber, Winfield, and Pleasant Valley responded. A tanker task force was quickly established. Also responding to the fire were the Maryland State Police, and the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office. Firefighters from Taneytown and Union Bridge filled in at the Westminster station and answered calls for service during the house fire.

It took firefighters nearly four hours to get the fire under control at 9:15 p.m. One firefighter was taken to Carroll Hospital with minor injuries and later released. No further information is available on the firefighter’s condition. The cause and origin of the fire is unknown and remains under investigation by the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal. The American Red Cross is assisting the family displaced by the fire.

The Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal (MSFM) suggested in a recent Facebook information release that since the area has experienced sub-freezing temperatures and the first significant snowfall in the area in two years; now is the time to look around your residence to see if there might have been some issues taking place due to the snow and rain that may have created a hazard.

Check to make sure your smoke alarms are in good working order. If you must use a space heater to supplement the heat in your home, make sure to locate the unit in an area with a minimum of three foot of area away from the wall or any furniture.

According to the MSFM, “Cooking Safety begins with all of us. The leading cause of residential fires is cooking. We ask that while you cook, always maintain a safe kitchen. Please keep your children and pets away from the oven and stop tops. This is where we see more burns related to getting too close.

“If you are using the stovetop, we ask that you always maintain and watch what you cooking and or reheating. If you are using grease, please do not leave it unintended. It can flash and cause a fire. Even using the oven, please check what is being cooked, especially if you use the broil mode. It's important to watch as well.”

Carroll County firefighters want you to make sure your family stays vigilant, fire safe, and has a fire escape plan in place."

Sunday, January 21, 2024 By Kevin Dayhoff – Westminster Fire Department PIO

Photo Credits for this article: Kody Silverman, Kevin Dayhoff, and Unknown Source