| On Monday, August 3, 2026, at approximately 10:17 p.m., Bay District Stations 3 & 9 and surrounding mutual aid companies were dispatched to the 21500 block of Port Court in Lexington Park for a reported residential structure fire.
Engine 32, Truck 3, Squad 3, Engine 91 Chief 3, Chief 3A and Chief 9B responded, along with mutual aid units from neighboring fire departments and EMS agencies. Dispatch information indicated a house fire involving the rear deck area with possible extension into the residence. The caller reported that occupants were out of the home and that no one was trapped.
Chief 9B (B. Tarleton) arrived first and reported a single-family residential structure with visible fire showing from Side C, the rear of the home. Chief 9B established Command, completed a full 360-degree size-up of the structure, and reported that the fire had extended from the rear exterior into the attic area. The home was built over a basement with a walk-out on Side C; the basement was not initially involved.
Engine 32 and Truck 3 arrived shortly after the initial size-up. Engine 32 deployed a 200-foot attack line to Side C and began an exterior fire attack, quickly knocking down the bulk of the fire on the rear of the home. Truck 3 positioned aerial ladders, prepared the aerial device for potential operations, and assisted crews with ventilation and access.
After the exterior fire was knocked down, Engine 32 advanced the attack line into the second floor area under the direction of Chief 9B, who was assigned as the Division 2 Supervisor. Truck 3 crews followed the attack team and opened up concealed areas of the structure to locate and extinguish hidden fire. Crews found the primary fire involvement in the attic space, where they conducted extensive overhaul and extinguished remaining hot spots.
Chief 3 (J. Turner) arrived and assumed Command from Chief 9B. Chief 9B remained assigned to Division 2, Chief 13 was assigned as the Division 1 Supervisor, and Chief 7 served as the Safety Officer. Rapid intervention personnel were also established on Side A as crews continued interior operations.
Fire extension into Division 1 was minimal. Crews completed primary searches of the first floor, second floor, and basement, with all searches reported negative. The fire was declared under control approximately 20 minutes after crews began fire attack. Once the incident was placed under control, initial attack crews exited the structure for rehabilitation while fresh crews entered to complete overhaul and check for remaining hot spots. A secondary search was later completed and was also negative.
One adult occupant and two dogs resided at the home. The occupant and one dog safely escaped before firefighters arrived. A second dog remained unaccounted for at the conclusion of suppression operations.
During the incident, one Bay District firefighter was evaluated on the scene for a medical issue. The firefighter was transported to MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries for further evaluation, where he was treated and released. No other injuries were reported.
The American Red Cross responded to the scene following suppression operations and assisted the displaced resident.
Firefighters from Bay District, NAS Patuxent River, Hollywood, Leonardtown, Second District, and additional assisting units operated on the scene. Command was terminated shortly after midnight.
The Bay District Volunteer Fire Department reminds residents to have working smoke alarms on every level of the home, develop and practice a home escape plan, and ensure all family members know two ways out of every room. |
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