Comments on: Reported backdraft at Maryland house fire. Prince George’s County firefighters mounting an interior attack were uninjured. Explosion blows firefighters more than 15 feet.

By: ST6767

ST6767 — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 13:35:50 +0000

I would like to see NIST do a study of this fire, and others like it, to see if they can replicate why the backdraft occurred. They can do computer modeling like they have with several fires in the past, and come up with a definitive conclusion.
Fortunately, everyone went home, a little battered and bruised, but hopefully the wiser. Good job to all the brothers and sisters on the fire.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 10:13:01 +0000

Don’t worry they will!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 01:37:19 +0000

Everyone there should get a letter of commendation especially the photographer.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:48:26 +0000

any one think that could have been cause by the gas tank letting go????

By: FF Specialist

FF Specialist — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:35:06 +0000

The scientific definition of Flashover states it is caused by the radiation feedback of heat. there is O2 in a room where flashover occurs . The heat builds until flashover occurs, Everything in a rooms simultaeneously burns, not an explosion.
A Backdraft is a situation which can occur when a fire is starved of oxygen; consequently combustion ceases but the fuel gases and smoke remain at very high temperature. If oxygen is re-introduced to the fire, eg. by opening a door to a closed room, combustion can restart often resulting in an explosive effect as the gases heat and expand.
definitly a backdraft at this scene.

By: Mark Meaker in Logan Utah

Mark Meaker in Logan Utah — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:05:11 +0000

We have experienced the same thing in the Cache Valley of Utah (near Logan City). Usually when this type of backdraft occurs in the attic of a structure that is already opened up, it’s usually caused by one of two possible sources of air introduction into the attic: either someone starts up a fan for positive pressure ventilation (without adequately evaluating the attic for backdraft condition) OR a fog nozzle gets injected into either the attic directly (i.e., through exterior attic vents) or indirectly via fog stream injection into the main body of the house which then pushes air into the concealed space. In any case, the lessons I have learned over 39 years of firefighting (first in California and now in Utah) is that the attic must always be evaluated for backdraft potential BEFORE beginning PPV or injecting a fog stream into the attic space.

Glad everyone was safe . . . our incident blew two chief officers out of the garage and sent one of them to the hospital with pretty serious burns! Nice stop on the rest of the house.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:34:15 +0000

I believe that was a flashover if anything , but all that matters is no one got hurt .

By: fireman 43

fireman 43 — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:23:04 +0000

“Thus nearly injuring a career fire captain from Company 46 when it came down. But, definatly shook him up”

Wow I hope he is O.K someone told me that someone from 43 “saved” him keep up the good work guys!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 04:24:08 +0000

I would be interested in learning from this incident… here you have a relatively new home, undoubtedly energy-efficient and tight. So… the fire extended to the attic, used up all the available oxygen in this tight space and then caused a backdraft when oxygen was provided into this space. How was oxygen provided? Did someone pull ceilings, or did the ceiling collapse occur immediately before the backdraft? Or did the roof collapse push oxygen into this area? How could this backdraft have been prevented? Would the backdraft have occurred if the roof of the house had been opened up? There are lots of these types of homes around – whatever findings and recommendations are learned need to be shared.

By: firedawg1502

firedawg1502 — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 03:09:36 +0000

the most important part is everyone went home. maybe a little shaken, but home with family. looks like considering the circumstances ( general size of structure) that your boys made a good stop. great work guys.