E250721694 FBLDG

Incident Number: E250721694
Incident Date: 2025-03-13
Dispatch Time: 2:26:04 PM
Shift: B
Battalion: 408
Station: FS410
Fire Box: 41091
Address: 5613 LEESBURG PIKE
Initial Alarm Unit(s): E410, E109, E206, E428, T410, TL408, R109, A410, M410, EMS404, BC404, BC202, SAF402
RIT Unit(s): E426, R102, M102, LA423, EMS405, BC408
Additional Alarm Unit(s): E418, E102, T208, SHRU424
Incident Synopsis: Units from Battalions 4 and 8, as well as mutual aid partners from Alexandria and Arlington Counties, were dispatched to a building fire. Prearrival information indicated that flames were coming from the building. BC404 requested a RIT Task Force while enroute. T410 advised during response that this building was vacant and homeless people sleep there nightly. E410 communicated the water supply plan and arrived to find a vacant two-story with a basement detached commercial building with fire showing, side alpha, floor 1, alpha quadrant from one window. There was a chain link fence around the building, which T410 cut and knocked down upon arrival. Smoke was seen pushing from the 2nd floor. BC202 arrived and established command. E410 stretched a 1 ¾” and begin exterior fire attack, while also stretching a 2 ½”, and transitioned to an interior fire attack along with T410, who utilized a tag line for orientation during search. Fire was found and contained in the one room of origin. BC408 arrived and became the Command Aide. TL408 was assigned to check the basement early, which was found clear of fire. BC404 established Division 1, with E410, E206, T410, and R109, E426 established Division 2, and T410’s outside crew checked the flat roof, found clear of hazards or fire below. Both divisions reported clutter from the homeless living in most rooms in the building, and thorough secondary searches were performed and found negative. Plenum space was found clear. Remaining fireground priorities and benchmarks were addressed, and most interior crews used two bottles before reporting to decon and rehab. After a tailboard critique, command held with 2 and 2.
Civilian Non-Life-Threatening Injuries: 0
Civilian Life-Threatening Injuries: 0
Firefighter Non-Life-Threatening Injuries: 0
Firefighter Life-Threatening Injuries: 0
Items of Interest/Significance: A410 was returning from lunch, came upon the fire as it was being dispatched, and delivered a proper on-scene report to BC404. This vacant building is a well-known homeless encampment and people trespass inside and sleep there nightly. FCPD reported finding multiple homeless in the building three hours before the fire occurred and had forced them to leave. District familiarization allowed Co 410 to know there was a basement in this building, which was not visible or accessible from the exterior. First alarm units, led by Co 410, utilized appropriate commercial building fire tactics, with a 2 ½” and a tag line. The Alexandria incident commander was prompted by DC402 during response to ensure he was receiving all CAD information, which was not coming across his Alexandria CAD. Personnel reported being confused by command’s assignments. E410’s driver found the primary hydrant to be O.O.S., communicated this accordingly and, with the help of A410 and M410, hand laid 4” hose to another hydrant in the parking lot. T410 reported that ventilation, requested immediately after fire knock down, improved conditions dramatically. Metal casement windows were found on all sides and floors of the building, which were addressed by first arriving special service units with rotary saws. SHRU424 was utilized for the large PPV fan to assist with ventilation.
Property Loss: 0
Submitted By: Richard Tamillow