PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — Firefighters from Calvert and St. Mary’s counties swiftly contained a working structure fire in the 3-01 box area on March 16, 2025, after multiple reports of flames and possible explosions prompted an urgent response. The incident, reported at 5:28 p.m., brought crews to a single-story, single-family home where fire was visible on the Alpha side. The rapid escalation from a possible fire to a confirmed working fire underscored the severity of the situation.
Calvert dispatch upgraded the Area Box 3-01 assignment as units mobilized, driven by numerous 911 calls. Engine 31, led by Capt. Lacey, and Truck 3, under Sgt. Bretz, arrived within four minutes. Engine 31 deployed a 1 3/4-inch attack line through the Alpha side, quickly knocking down the flames. Truck 3 supported the effort by setting ground ladders on the Bravo and Charlie sides and aiding ventilation. Engine 34, guided by firefighter Ackerman, joined to assist with salvage and overhaul, ensuring the fire was fully subdued.
The blaze was under control within minutes of the crews’ arrival, a testament to their efficiency. Additional units from across Calvert and St. Mary’s counties pitched in, handling overhaul, water supply, and Rapid Intervention Team duties. Others filled in at Station 3 to maintain coverage while the fireground operation unfolded. The coordinated response prevented further damage, though the cause of the fire and reported explosions remains under investigation.
The 3-01 box area, part of Calvert County’s fire response grid, lies near Prince Frederick, a community of over 92,000 residents, per the U.S. Census Bureau. The county’s volunteer fire departments, like those involved here, respond to hundreds of calls annually, according to Calvert County Fire-Rescue-EMS records. This incident highlights the region’s reliance on mutual aid agreements with neighboring St. Mary’s County, a practice common in Southern Maryland’s emergency services network.
Details about injuries or structural loss were not immediately available as crews wrapped up operations. The quick containment likely spared the home from total destruction, though overhaul efforts continued to address hotspots. Authorities have yet to determine what sparked the fire or triggered the reported explosions, with fire investigators expected to examine the scene in the coming hours.
