The Bill Hughes Gazette
MAIN STREET APARTMENT FIRE
Fire Damages Elkton Apartments
Photo and story by Bill Hughes
During Monday afternoon's lunch hour, smoke from above a busy Brothers Pizza in Elkton began flowing out of an upstairs apartment at 122 West Main Street, followed by flames that brought out nine fire companies to the rescue. It took 50 firefighters who responded, 90 minutes to get the fire under control that damaged six units there and one unit at 120 B West Main Street owned by Rajeshchandra Patel, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshall's office and responding state fire marshall DSFM (Division of State Fire Marshall) Derek Chapman. Estimated loss to the structure was $100,00 and contents at $50,000. Smoke alarms were working and there have been no arrests.
Fire companies from Elkton, Chesapeake City, Rising Sun, Charlestown, North East, Perryville, Port Deposit, Havre de Grace (Hardford County) and Newark, Delaware, all responded and had everything under control.
Aetna Hose, Hook and Ladder Company from Newark, had to enter downtown Elkton going the wrong way down East Main Street to enable them to run their ladder up to the roof. Firefighter Andrew Cavanaugh, (top of ladder in photo) followed by firefighter Chris Abbott, both from Aetna, reached the roof and checked for further flames.
The fire had many roads in gridlock. With Delaware Avenue closed for repairs, it just led to even more traffic jams in town.
As some people sat inside Brothers Pizza eating lunch and Team Brothers were busy with a lot of take out orders, the staff noticed the smell of smoke..
"We smelled the fire burning in apartment 6," said Mario Testa, owner of Brothers Pizza. "We went outside and saw the smoke and fire. It started shooting out at 12:15. We had a few people in there (restaurant).
The restaurant remained closed Monday and Tuesday, with smoke damage.
"We have a little damage in the bathroom walls, ceiling and floors," Mario added. "The smoke damage is the worst. A lot of cleaning to do," he said Tuesday morning as Union Hospital employees came by not knowing of the closing.
The Singerly Ladies Auxilary helped by bringing plenty to drink for the firefighters as temperatures soared. They brought ice water, lemonade, ice tea and cookies.
"They always want something cold to drink," said Wanda Marquess (in other photo serving up ice tea to a Singerly firefighter). "Usually they want lunch. It's a little late for lunch."
The ladies in the auxiliary did the best they could to get to the station after not being able to come down Delaware Avenue, but they were ready when they were needed.
"We just get there and get it done," Wanda added.
Brothers Pizza was back in business, opening for lunch yesterday at 11am.
"Everything is working. We had to throw away all the food. The guys came in and cleaned up and deodorized the whole place," said Mario on Wednesday morning. "We want to apologize for the two days we were closed. We were here 7:30 this morning getting everything ready to go."
Some of the local businesses on West Main Street, recognized the hard work the firefighters did, one saying "Thank God I was lucky. I had a guardian angel watching over me."
Red Cross is assisting the families who are now homeless, but one tenant on Wednesday morning who didn't want to be identified, said "I have to find someplace to stay."
Cause of the fire is still under investigation. Anyone with information about this fire is asked to call the Elkon Police or the State Fire Marshall at 410-996-2794.
MAIN STREET APARTMENT FIRE
Fire Damages Elkton Apartments
Photo and story by Bill Hughes
During Monday afternoon's lunch hour, smoke from above a busy Brothers Pizza in Elkton began flowing out of an upstairs apartment at 122 West Main Street, followed by flames that brought out nine fire companies to the rescue. It took 50 firefighters who responded, 90 minutes to get the fire under control that damaged six units there and one unit at 120 B West Main Street owned by Rajeshchandra Patel, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshall's office and responding state fire marshall DSFM (Division of State Fire Marshall) Derek Chapman. Estimated loss to the structure was $100,00 and contents at $50,000. Smoke alarms were working and there have been no arrests.
Fire companies from Elkton, Chesapeake City, Rising Sun, Charlestown, North East, Perryville, Port Deposit, Havre de Grace (Hardford County) and Newark, Delaware, all responded and had everything under control.
Aetna Hose, Hook and Ladder Company from Newark, had to enter downtown Elkton going the wrong way down East Main Street to enable them to run their ladder up to the roof. Firefighter Andrew Cavanaugh, (top of ladder in photo) followed by firefighter Chris Abbott, both from Aetna, reached the roof and checked for further flames.
The fire had many roads in gridlock. With Delaware Avenue closed for repairs, it just led to even more traffic jams in town.
As some people sat inside Brothers Pizza eating lunch and Team Brothers were busy with a lot of take out orders, the staff noticed the smell of smoke..
"We smelled the fire burning in apartment 6," said Mario Testa, owner of Brothers Pizza. "We went outside and saw the smoke and fire. It started shooting out at 12:15. We had a few people in there (restaurant).
The restaurant remained closed Monday and Tuesday, with smoke damage.
"We have a little damage in the bathroom walls, ceiling and floors," Mario added. "The smoke damage is the worst. A lot of cleaning to do," he said Tuesday morning as Union Hospital employees came by not knowing of the closing.
The Singerly Ladies Auxilary helped by bringing plenty to drink for the firefighters as temperatures soared. They brought ice water, lemonade, ice tea and cookies.
"They always want something cold to drink," said Wanda Marquess (in other photo serving up ice tea to a Singerly firefighter). "Usually they want lunch. It's a little late for lunch."
The ladies in the auxiliary did the best they could to get to the station after not being able to come down Delaware Avenue, but they were ready when they were needed.
"We just get there and get it done," Wanda added.
Brothers Pizza was back in business, opening for lunch yesterday at 11am.
"Everything is working. We had to throw away all the food. The guys came in and cleaned up and deodorized the whole place," said Mario on Wednesday morning. "We want to apologize for the two days we were closed. We were here 7:30 this morning getting everything ready to go."
Some of the local businesses on West Main Street, recognized the hard work the firefighters did, one saying "Thank God I was lucky. I had a guardian angel watching over me."
Red Cross is assisting the families who are now homeless, but one tenant on Wednesday morning who didn't want to be identified, said "I have to find someplace to stay."
Cause of the fire is still under investigation. Anyone with information about this fire is asked to call the Elkon Police or the State Fire Marshall at 410-996-2794.