Click here, and here (and look below) for other clips from ConjoStudios taken earlier in the fire. And this one that came later.
Click here for a series of pictures as firefighters first arrived on the scene
It is where Seton Avenue and Main Street meet in the heart of Emmitsburg, Maryland. On the southeast corner of that intersection is an old three story apartment building (four in the rear) with balconies on Side A atop the entrance. Side C is the entrance to Stavros Pizza.
It is a building any of you who have spent time down the street at the National Fire Academy have passed many times. Probably on your way to and from the Ott house, just three doors down on the southwest side of that intersection (which, of course, is next to the Vigilant Hose Company).
More from ConjoStudios posted to YouTube.
Karen Gardner at The Frederick News-Post reports the fire was discovered at about 6:00 AM and was caused by a second-floor resident of who fell asleep while smoking a cigarette. There are 16 apartments in the building.
Click the image for more pictures of the Hotel Slagle.
The building got its start as the Hotel Slagle in 1859. Here’s more on the fire from Gardner’s article:
Fire companies from Adams and Franklin counties in Pennsylvania and Carroll, Frederick and Washington counties battled the blaze. Thirty-five pieces of equipment and 125 firefighters were involved. The fire was out by 9 a.m., but smoke continued to billow from the roof for much of the day.
Soot covered much of the large, three-story building, and heat caused the glass in many of the windows to break. The building had a gable roof and balconies on all three stories. Rafters poked out of the roof shingles.
Christopher Naum has more on his Command Safety website.
Video above by Sam Zanella.
Also on STATter911 …
- UPDATE: Raw video from a pair of two-alarm fires in the Nation’s Capital. Plus, other fires & a special event today for the DC Fire & EMS Department. – January 25, 2011
- Raw video & fireground audio: Two 5-alarm fires in Philly in two days. – January 10, 2011
- Video & audio from Leslie, Michigan mayday. Four firefighters trapped in bar & apartment fire. Six others injured. – March 26, 2011
- UPDATED – Three dead in New Haven, Connecticut fire. Clearer video of FD rescues. Early indications of arson. Just hours earlier fire chief met with citizens about closing an engine company. – March 9, 2011
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Why in the world would anybody be on the roof of that structure? The only reason to be on a roof of a burning structure is to cut a hole for ventilation. Once complete, the task is done and firefighters need to get down immediately instead of standing and admiring their work.
My guess is the pictured firefighter did not cut the vent hole as the fire looks like it did a pretty good job of finding the sky on its own, thus the question WHY?
This type of behavior is unacceptable and one of the reasons we have a Fallen Firefighters Memorial with so many names on it only one mile down the street.
Something to think about.
Thank god it wasn’t Ott’s and everybody seems to be ok.
If you’re not willing to advance several ‘Big Lines’ to the top floor and access the attic to knock down the fire from the interior, then at least know how to mount a surround and drown.
By the way, what was that knucklehead doing, standing on top of the dormer?????
The hometown fire department to the “National fire academy” … Either they don’t take advantage of the available courses or the academy doesn’t teach bread and butter firefighting …
How did Stavros make out? I had hoped to make a trip back to NFA in the near future, mainly for the pizza pies! I hope they are able to open back up. For the due on the roof, got down off of there and get some training!
Speaking of the guy on the roof, it looked like he had his helmet off as well. I certainly hope I am mistaken? Be smart guys; no empty building is worth a firefighter’s life!
I agree with alot fo the tactical comments…..take into account that they are the only game in town and that all fo there assist companies are coming mutual aide….so there is no guarantee that the guy doing this is from VHC.
Second no the National Fire Academy does not teach basic firefighting….have you ever been?? It is mostly for command level training, and advanced specialties, perhaps you should check it out instead of just wondering.
Lastly thank god it wasnt the Ott house….when you go to NFA and they tell you that “you have got to go to the Ott House” it isnt just because its good, its becuase thats really all there is.
Decent Job VHC
Robby O says, “Second no the National Fire Academy does not teach basic firefighting….have you ever been?? It is mostly for command level training, and advanced specialties, perhaps you should check it out instead of just wondering.”
Yes, I’ve attended several courses a the N.F.A. … with sarcasm I was trying to make a point: To locate a so called place of higher learning for fire service professionals in a town with no fire protection is curious, quite curious …
Here are some thoughts of the dude standing on the dormer.
- Hey chief i’m on top of the world
- Hey chief i can see PA from here
- WOW the sun rise was great this morning from up here
- I’m going to make Billy Goldfeders website with this pose
- Carroll county Co 5 we are doin it…err maybe not.
- Hey john boy i see 4 does and a buck from here. Got to get
a tree stand this high
And #1 thought……Just of the boys from kentland 33 could see me now “Doin the Deed”
I’ll give the guy on the dormer the benefit, that his head was down the entire time and didn’t see the smoke billowing out, due to taking the necessary time to pre adjust the straps on his Scott mask. My second guess is that he didn’t take the highly touted “Reading Smoke Class”.
And the dude going down the stick either said, “cowboy its time to git off this here ruff” or didn’t want to rush telling Homer, that being on the roof right this minute, will be beneficial to our respitory system or if we planned on continuing our lives.
Wow. Tremendous sarcasm and negative criticism from this bunch. A good teacher never belittles, uses sarcasm or appears all-knowing. Being respectful goes a long way in teaching others. Most people are open to lessons learned at incidents when done properly. Berating is not well received in the fire service or anywhere. Try another approach here.
The Guys on the roof were from a Carroll County fire Department.
For some really interesting listening, somebody needs to post the audio from this one. A guy on my shift brought the audio in and to say the least it was eye opening. Some lessons could and should be learned from this.
i was in that fire on the 3rd floor i almost didnt get out, we lost everything in the fire if anyone would like to send money or anything to help my new address is 11801 liberty rd frederick md 21701
To all the folks who are commenting negatively on the actions of the fire crews on scene I have several comments to you.
One: you was not there and have no idea of circumstances surrounding the actions taken.
1A: There was career personnel from numerous fire departments involved so this is not just volunteers getting knocked on, I thought the IAFF guys stuck together?
Two: Just because you are a “career” firefighter does not mean that your department, commanding officers or yourself is immune from a case of stupidity.
Three: opinions are like butt holes and every one has one and they all stink
Four: ALL FIRE/RESCUE personnel left safely on this day
Five: Career or Volunteer no matter how careful you are firefighting is a dangerous, hazardous activity as indicated on turnout gear warning tags.
Six: There is good and bad in all. Some of the dumbest people become firefighters and I can attest to this being on the fire department.
Seven: All firefighters on the roof had on helmets as I was watching from below, I was on the RIT team.
Eight: It is true the fire burned through parts of the roof however in areas that was unburned and stable, and sounded before being stood on, there was additional vent holes cut.
Yes as on any call there is things that can be improved however this is no reason to put fellow firefighters down.
Just as many errors are made by career and volunteer fire personnel alike that places their names on the wall at the fallen firefighters memorial.
If you are a firefighter for the right reason we are not here to be political or fight on career of volunteer but come together as one and help each other.