News

At 4:24am on Sunday, February 13, 2022, the Ocean Pines Vol. Fire Department was alerted for a residential structure fire at 79 Clubhouse Drive. There were initial reports that occupants could be trapped; however, Worcester Central advised that all occupants were out of the house with one person unconscious. Additional responses were requested from the Berlin, Bishopville, Ocean City, Showell, Selbyville and Frankford Fire Departments.

Chief Grunewald was first on scene, established command and confirmed heavy fire in the garage with extension to the house, vehicles in the driveway, and the neighboring home. Upon arrival, the crew from Ocean Pines Engine 1102 immediately placed an attack line in service while simultaneously establishing a water supply and deploying a secondary line to protect the neighboring homes.  Ocean Pines and Showell EMS units tended to the occupants of the home, and we are happy to report no injuries were sustained during the fire.

Initial extinguishing efforts were made more challenging by the collapse of the roof over the garage, arching electrical wires in the garage and two vehicles in the driveway also on fire. As neighboring departments arrived, crews began additional extinguishment and ventilation efforts while also working to secure power to both vehicles.

Thanks to the extensive training and experience of all the volunteer & career firefighters who responded, the bulk of the fire damage was limited to the initial address with only exterior damage to one neighboring home. With the fire under control, crews remained on scene for an extended period completing overhaul.

The scene was turned over to the Worcester County Fire Marshal's Office for further investigation.

Please remember that working smoke detectors save lives and detectors need to be replaced every 10 years. Unsure of the age of your detectors? Just remove them from the wall or ceiling and look at the back of the alarm for the date of manufacture.

The OPVFD would like to thank all our neighboring departments who assisted us today on scene as well as covered our stations during the incident and to our administrative members who provided a canteen for the duration of the incident.

NOTES:

·       The Red Cross is actively working with the family that has been displaced

Units on Scene: Ocean Pines Engine 1102, Special Ops 11, Command 11, 1100 A2, FP 11 as well as apparatus from Berlin, Showell, Ocean City, Bishopville, Frankford and Sellbyville Fire Departments, Ocean Pines Police Department, Worcester County Sheriff's Office, Maryland State Police, Ocean City Emergency Management, The Red Cross and the Worcester County Fire Marshal's Office.