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The Prince George’s County, Maryland home of a man I covered extensively in the early days of my TV career burned twice since Sunday evening. Former DCFD Chief Theodore R. Coleman was not injured in either of the fires at his Fort Washington home.
PGFD Chief Spokesperson Mark Brady wrote this account of the fires and provided the pictures:
Prince George’s County Firefighters extinguished a fire in a Fort Washington home for the second time in 36 hours this afternoon and the homeowner is no stranger to the fire service.
On Sunday evening at around 7:30 pm, firefighters from the Fort Washington area were alerted to a house fire in the 12100 block of Lihou Court. They arrived to find heavy smoke coming from the attached garage and the roofline where the garage and house meet. The fire was quickly contained and extinguished. No injuries were reported and the family was displaced and stayed with family members. The cause of Sunday’s fire was determined to be accidental and attributed to an unattended grill being used too close to house exterior. Fire loss was estimated at $5,000.
Chief Coleman, on the right, talking with PGFD Assistant Chief Kenneth McSwain
The family returned to the home this morning to start collecting personal items. A contractor was hired to begin the fire restoration and cleanup and they were also working in the house when a fire broke out on the second floor. For the second time within 2 days the family escaped a fire in their home safely and without injury. The contractors also escaped without injury. Firefighters arrived and required about 30 to 40 minutes to extinguish the fire. One firefighter sustained a small burn injury to his foot and was transported to the Burn Unit for treatment. It is anticipated he will be treated and released today. Today’s fire remains under investigation, however, is not considered suspicious. A preliminary fire loss is estimated at $100,000.
Theodore Coleman served as the Fire Chief in the District of Columbia from 1983 to 1988 owns the home. He was on the scene during both incidents. Despite suffering a second fire at his home, Coleman’s biggest concern today was for the firefighter that was injured. He wanted to leave and go to the hospital and visit with him just as he did when he was the Fire Chief. Former Chief Coleman was re-assured the injury was minor and the firefighter would be released this afternoon. He and other family members will be staying with his daughter that lives in the area until his home can be repaired.
Firefighters were able to salvage many momentous and photos from when he was the DCFD Fire Chief. The items were packaged up and brought back to his daughter’s house by family members.
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Also on STATter911 …
- Early video: PGFD in action during a house fire in Glenn Dale, MD. – April 15, 2013
- Raw video & fireground audio: PGFD house fire in Bladensburg, Maryland. – June 7, 2012
- Retired PGFD Lt. Billy Mills teams up with ‘Lassie’ like black lab for rescue. Woman pulled from Bowie, MD house fire. – January 4, 2013
- Fireground audio & morning update: Seven firefighters hurt in Prince George’s County, MD when high winds send ‘blowtorch’ through home. Two from Bladensburg admitted to burn center. Both critical. – February 24, 2012
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Maybe the retired chief should teach the current DC Chief how to look after and take care of his men
A real Chief…concerned more about the men and women on the front line and not himself. God bless him, sorry for your last bit of bad luck Chief.
LRB…take note, wait – you’re too far gone to fix.
Wow, sorry to hear of this. Wonder what caused the second fire?
Re-kindle?
Obviousy you’re not a fireman ith your clown remark. So read all you want, just don’t waste our time with your remarks!
I think it is a reasonable question to ask with two fires in the same building in a short period of time. If nothing else it is suspicious.
My first question would be rekindle? Second is how does one manage to burn your foot? Another day in an overrated fire service .
I sincerely hope Chief Coleman and his Wifew can return to their residence soon. Blessing from above the Firefighter wasnot seriously injured. As for comments about Ellerbee taking note of how the Professionalism of a Real true Dedicated Fire Chief extends with Retirement. First of all Chief Coleman is a Real Firte Chief. Ellerbee is not plain and simple. His continued behavior speaks volumes as to his lack of creditionals. The recent report of the 48th Place NE Fire was without question bias with what was concluded. It gave Ellerbee the words to speak his midless opinion. One would question the true creditionals of that Panel. Obviously all Ellerbee followers. It is most unforunate how,why, whynot this panel didnot speak anything positive about the actual on scene Fireground Strategy of the DC Fire and EMS Professionals. Ellerbee donot ever use the term associated with yor name. It is a disresptful gesture to Chief Coleman and the other fine Professional Fire Chiefs who served the citizens of the District of Columbia. Ellerbee, one can only imagine what would be your job if any if the late Fire Chief Millard H. Sutton was the Fire Chief today. Ellerbee you always seem to live up to your potential. You cannot manage a church picnic.
It was not a rekindle and yes I was there. You have no clue what your talking about. He burnt his foot doing his job I was standing next to him when it happened. Do us all a favor and STFU
Dep Chief,
Perhaps you should go back to elementary school and learn proper grammar. Learn the difference between your and you’re then maybe folks will take you seriously.