Ridge Volunteer Fire Department and crews from seven mutual aid departments battled a fast-moving structure fire that destroyed a two-story home and seven vehicles in the 49800 block of Airedele Road early Saturday morning.
The 4-06 Box was dispatched at 2:59 a.m. on May 9 for a reported working house fire with possible occupant entrapment. Chief 4A arrived at 3:04 a.m. and reported heavy fire showing from the home with extension to several vehicles. Chief 4 arrived moments later and established command. It was quickly confirmed that no people were inside, but there were reports of possible pets.
Engine 41 arrived and stretched two attack lines. Crews initially attempted an offensive interior attack but switched to a defensive strategy as fire spread through the first and second floors and into the attic. Additional lines were stretched to all sides of the structure. Mutual aid units from NAS Webster Field, NAS Patuxent River, Bay District Volunteer Fire Department, Second District Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department, Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department, and Seventh District Volunteer Fire Department arrived and assisted with water supply, additional hoselines and overhaul.
Command assignments included Chief 4A on Side Alpha, Chief 3B on Side Charlie, Chief 4B on Side Delta, and Chief 7B as Safety Officer. Chief 3 oversaw the Attack Group. St. Mary’s County Fire Chief 100A provided command assistance.
Due to unsafe conditions inside the burning structure, interior crews were evacuated. Firefighters continued a defensive attack from the exterior. The home suffered a partial collapse on the Delta side. Chief 4 reported the fire under control at approximately 4:30 a.m. Crews then made safe entry for overhaul.
The fire completely destroyed the home and seven vehicles parked nearby. Heat damage affected adjacent property. All family pets escaped unharmed. The American Red Cross responded to assist the displaced family of seven.
In total, 69 fire personnel operated on the scene for more than six hours. The Seventh District Volunteer Fire Department covered Ridge VFD’s station during the incident.
The Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.
Ridge is a small, close-knit community in northern St. Mary’s County along the Patuxent River. Volunteer fire departments remain the backbone of emergency response in Southern Maryland’s rural areas, where mutual aid from neighboring departments and military installations is often critical. The quick and coordinated response prevented injuries and limited the fire’s spread to neighboring properties in a residential area with limited water supply options.
