By Dave Statter
STATter 911
MITCHELLVILLE, Md. — Firefighters in Prince George’s County, Maryland say an explosion occurred during a house fire Sunday evening. It is being described as a “backdraft”.
Backdrafts have been known to seriously injure or kill firefighters. In this case firefighters were blown more than 15-feet, but were unhurt.
The fire was reported just before 9:00 PM at 2304 Prima Way. According to information provided by Prince George’s County Fire/ EMS Department Chief Spokesman Mark Brady, there was fire coming out of the garage when the first crews arrived. The large, two-story, single-family home had residential sprinklers.
As the firefighters took their hoses into the home the fire was moving to the second floor and attic. About eight minutes into the incident the explosion occurred.
Here is an excerpt from Brady’s press release:
A backdraft occurs when an oxygen-starved fire suddenly receives oxygen. The sudden rush of oxygen causes all of the super-heated gases to ignite at the same time, which causes an explosion. Firefighters standing at the front door of the house were blown 15-20 feet into the front yard, firefighters performing exterior ventilation reported their helmets being blown off, windows were blown out and Volunteer Chief (Tony) Kelleher described a “fire-ball” that blew out of the attic area on the opposite side of where the fire had originated.
No firefighters required hospitalization. The three people who live in the house were not home when the fire broke out.
According to Brady, the unsprinklered garage and attic areas are the only portions of the home that had significant fire damage. Damage to the home is estimated at $250,000.