CHAPTICO, MD – A significant fire engulfed a single-story home in Chaptico, Maryland, early Monday morning, prompting a massive response from local and surrounding county fire departments. The Seventh District Volunteer Fire Department was first on the scene at the 363315 Notley Woods Lane residence, following a dispatch to the address around 10:45 a.m. for a reported house fire.
Upon arrival, crews encountered smoke billowing from the one-story single-family dwelling, with the fire originating in the basement. A total of 10 volunteers aboard Engine 73, Truck 7, led by Chief 7, immediately engaged in firefighting efforts. The severity of the situation quickly escalated, necessitating additional support from neighboring counties, including St. Mary’s, Charles, Calvert, and Prince George’s, following an evacuation tone and a subsequent Mayday call when firefighters briefly became disoriented due to deteriorating conditions inside.
The incident, which drew approximately 50 firefighters to the scene, was marked by tense moments as the fire spread from the basement to the roof, prompting the command to order all personnel to vacate the first floor. Despite the challenges, firefighters managed to quell most of the flames from the outside and completely extinguish the basement fire after several hours of intense effort.
Three firefighters sustained minor injuries during the operation and were treated on-site; two were later transported to St. Mary’s Hospital for further care. Thankfully, no other injuries were reported, and all searches within the home proved negative for additional victims.
The Maryland State Fire Marshal’s office is investigating the cause of the blaze, which resulted in an estimated $250,000 in damages to the structure and its contents. The home, owned by Virginia Petit, was equipped with smoke alarms that activated and alerted the occupant, potentially preventing further tragedy.
Workers on the property discovered the fire, which was brought under control within 40 minutes thanks to the coordinated efforts of the responding units. Chief 5B assumed command of the operation, with Chief 7 overseeing rescue efforts before being reassigned to manage the basement division.
This incident underscores the dangers firefighters face and the critical importance of functional smoke alarms in alerting occupants to the presence of fire. As the investigation continues, the community is reminded to check their smoke alarms regularly and be prepared for emergencies.
The Seventh District Volunteer Fire Department and the additional units that responded were cleared from the scene and returned to their stations by approximately 2:30 p.m. The Maryland State FM’s office is investigating the preliminary cause of the fire, and further updates are expected as new information becomes available.
