Early Morning Blaze Destroys Leesburg Home

December 4, 2003

At 0122 this morning, a structure fire assignment was dispatched to the 600 block of Patrice Drive, SE. Initial units on the dispatch were Engine Companies 1 (Leesburg) and 6 (Ashburn), Truck 1, Ambulance 13, and Battalion 1. Subsequent calls to the 911 dispatch center made it clear this was a working fire, so Wagon 5 (Hamilton) was added to the call as the Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) pumper.

The first Leesburg units were on the scene at 0128. Captain Paul Earley in Command 1 arrived first, followed immediately by Tanker 1, led by Lt. George Delalian. Captain Earley gave his initial report indicating heavy fire on sides A and B. He established "Patrice Command" and began managing the incident. Tanker 1's crew pulled two lines, an 1 3/4 and a 2 1/2. The smaller line was used to protect exposure B while the large line was employed in an aggressive exterior attack.

By this time, Truck 1 was on the scene. They began positioning the aerial device for a ladder pipe operation and also prepared to perform a search of the residence. Command was able to determine that all occupants of the residence had exited safely, so no search was necessary. As a result of the fire conditions and lightweight building construction, Command issued the order to perform a defensive attack. Basically, this meant that the structure was so unstable that there was no way personnel could operate on the interior with any degree of safety.

Wagon 1 was now on the scene, and they established a second water supply with which to feed Truck 1's ladder pipe. Water began flowing from Truck 1's ladder at about 0138. Firefighter Justin Holmberg spent most of his time at the tip of the ladder, directing the stream throughout the structure to extinguish the bulk of the fire.

Meanwhile, Rescue Engine 1 was on the scene and had positioned themselves on Michael Patrick Ct., a street that backs up to side C of the involved structure. This represented the third water supply point. Rescue Engine 1's crew, led by Capt. Pete Comanduras, placed a ground deployed deck gun and a 1 3/4 line in service on side C. The deck gun was used for attack while the smaller line protected exposure D.

Utility 1 had responded with two personnel, and they were now on the scene. Lt. Ian Buchanan was assigned Division C by Command. He assisted Rescue Engine 1's crew with getting their lines in service, as well as stretching a third attack line to side C from the Rescue Engine. With the combination of the ladder pipe and 2 1/2 from side A and the deck gun from side C, the fire was quickly knocked down.

Wagon 6 from Ashburn arrived after Utility 1. They were given the RIT assignment. Wagon 5 was right behind them. Their personnel were held in reserve at the command post until most of the fire was knocked down. They performed a great deal of overhaul and assisted Co. 1 with re-racking frozen hose at the conclusion of the incident.

By 0400, several units had been released. As Co. 1 units were cleared, Wagon 10 (Lucketts) was released from the station fill at Station 20. Tanker 1, Utility 1, and Command 1 remained on the scene until about 0530, assisting the Fire Marshall with his investigation and continuing to apply water to hot spots. The cause of the fire has been ruled "improperly disposed smoking materials". Fortunately, no one was injured.

View of house fire from about 1/4 mile away at the intersection of Lawson Rd. and Kincaid Blvd.

Looking up Patrice Dr. from its intersection with Kincaid Blvd.

Wagon 1 prepares to supply Truck 1's ladderpipe.

Ladderpipe begins to flow water as FF Justin Holmberg makes his way to the tip to properly aim the stream.

Crews are advancing the 2 1/2 to attack the fire in the garage and to extinguish the cars in the driveway.

Exterior attack with the 2 1/2 continues as the ladderpipe begins operation.

1 3/4 line is used to cool exposure B while the attack continues.

Justin is starting to make some progress with the ladderpipe.

A lot more steam is evident now as the solid stream from Truck 1 penetrates the remaining structure.

Exposure protection continues. No damage occurred to either the B or D exposure, thanks to the quick work of Company 1.

Fire is beginning to darken a bit.

The combination of the ladderpipe from Truck 1 and the deck gun on side C begins to get the upper hand on the raging fire.

Fire largely knocked down at this time. Handlines being used to complete extinguishment of two car fires in the driveway. Embers coming from the structure look like dark rain in the picture.

Attack crew lost in a cloud of steam and embers as they complete mop up of the car fires.

Fire extinguished, investigation in progress. Fire originated inside the garage.

Closer view of the damage done to the cars in the driveway. Note the collaps of the brick veneer above the garage opening.

It may be difficult to see, but this picture shows that the web of the engineered wood I-beam joists has burned completely away. Structural failures like these are what forced Co. 1 to employ an exterior attack on this fire.

View of the B / C quadrants of the structure from side C

A third vehicle in the driveway was slighly damaged by the heat of the fire.

Pictures on this page were taken by Ian Buchanan, Paul Earley, and Brian Duddy.

	View of house fire from about 1/4 mile away at the intersection of Lawson Rd. and Kincaid Blvd.
	Looking up Patrice Dr. from its intersection with Kincaid Blvd.
	Wagon 1 prepares to supply Truck 1's ladderpipe.
	Ladderpipe begins to flow water as FF Justin Holmberg makes his way to the tip to properly aim the stream.
	Crews are advancing the 2 1/2 to attack the fire in the garage and to extinguish the cars in the driveway.
	Exterior attack with the 2 1/2 continues as the ladderpipe begins operation.
	1 3/4 line is used to cool exposure B while the attack continues.
	Justin is starting to make some progress with the ladderpipe.
	A lot more steam is evident now as the solid stream from Truck 1 penetrates the remaining structure.
	Exposure protection continues. No damage occurred to either the B or D exposure, thanks to the quick work of Company 1.
	Fire is beginning to darken a bit.
	The combination of the ladderpipe from Truck 1 and the deck gun on side C begins to get the upper hand on the raging fire.
	Fire largely knocked down at this time. Handlines being used to complete extinguishment of two car fires in the driveway. Embers coming from the structure look like dark rain in the picture.
	Attack crew lost in a cloud of steam and embers as they complete mop up of the car fires.
	Fire extinguished, investigation in progress. Fire originated inside the garage.
	Closer view of the damage done to the cars in the driveway. Note the collaps of the brick veneer above the garage opening.
	It may be difficult to see, but this picture shows that the web of the engineered wood I-beam joists has burned completely away. Structural failures like these are what forced Co. 1 to employ an exterior attack on this fire.
	View of the B / C quadrants of the structure from side C
	A third vehicle in the driveway was slighly damaged by the heat of the fire.