2/9/2013 – At 15:12hrs on 2/9/2013 Wicomico Central alerted Salisbury Stations, 16, 1 and 2 for a reported commercial structure fire at 600 S. Division St in the area of the S Curve on RT 13. A Salisbury paramedic unit at PRMC with a patient advised first responding units of heavy smoke visible from the ER. Asst Chief Obarsky arrived on location reporting a commercial structure with heavy smoke and fire showing. First arriving engine 16-1 established a water supply and made an aggressive attack on the fire from a rear garage door. Additional arriving units placed multiple hand lines in service and established additional water supplies to support a master stream operation. Due to the size of the fire and manpower needs command requested mutual aid from Station 3 Fruitland and units to shut down Eastern Shore Dr due to multiple 5 inch lines laid across the road. After several minutes of attempting an attack on the fire from the interior command ordered an evacuation of the building and all units to operate from the exterior due to the failing roof. At the height of the fire Tower 16, Truck 1 and Truck 2 were all in service providing master streams to the roof of the building. Command placed the fire under control at approximately 1700hrs; units remained on the scene for overhaul and to assist the State Fire Marshall. After investigation the State Fire Marshall determined that the fire was ignited when a heater was used in a garage where gas fumes were present.
Photos and story by Mark Filippelli
