In northwest Baltimore, a rapidly spreading fire tragically destroyed multiple rowhouses on Thursday afternoon, leading to the unfortunate loss of one firefighter's life and causing injuries to four others, according to officials. These brave firefighters, who have suffered burns of different severity, are currently receiving medical treatment at Baltimore's esteemed Shock Trauma Center, which is a part of the University of Maryland Medical System.
In recent months, the Baltimore Fire Department has been receiving greater attention regarding its policies and training. Unfortunately, last year, three firefighters tragically lost their lives while bravely combating a fire in an abandoned rowhouse. This incident sparked demands for improved supervision and ultimately resulted in the departure of the department's previous leader.
James Wallace, who was recently appointed as Baltimore's new fire chief, expressed his regret in informing that a fellow member was lost in the fire. He chose not to disclose the firefighter's name until the next of kin had been notified. The fire that triggered a two-alarm response occurred shortly before 4 p.m. Local news footage captured rowhouses being consumed by flames, sections of the buildings collapsing, and the release of dense black smoke through windows and rooftops.
Fortunately, there have been no reports of civilian injuries thus far, and an investigation is currently being conducted to determine the cause of the fire. Wallace mentioned that at least one of the buildings seemed to be occupied, although the sudden escalation of the situation is still inexplicable.
Council President Nick Mosby expressed his sincere appreciation for the fallen firefighters, highlighting the immense sacrifices made by these courageous first responders. This unfortunate incident serves as a poignant reminder of the constant dangers faced by firefighters in their noble duty of protecting our city.
In January 2022, another unfortunate fire resulted in the loss of three valuable firefighters, which led to a comprehensive evaluation of Baltimore's fire department. A subsequent report brought attention to various areas of improvement that could have potentially prevented the firefighters from encountering unnecessary risks during the building's collapse. One particular concern was the lack of a procedure to inform firefighters about vacant and hazardous structures prior to their entry.
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