First, I smelled it. Then the thought process kicked in.
En route to Potomac Village for a 1:30 p.m. appointment on Aug. 6, my mindset was to get there on time. I was not totally tuned into my immediate surroundings.
Only a short distance from my driveway, I smelled smoke. Someone is burning brush was the first thought. Wrong.
In an outré nanosecond I saw the real source of the pungent odor. Smoke was pouring from a neighbor’s roof on Rock Run Drive.
Grabbing the cell phone while jumping from the car, I ran toward the front door while reporting the location.
“Don’t go in the house!” the fire dispatcher admonished. “Do you think anyone is there?” he questioned.
Another neighbor, Henry Kumm Jr., was running toward the house. Banging on the front door and screaming brought no response. We felt fairly sure the house was empty. If anyone was inside, and hadn’t heard us, they would surely have heard Henry’s wife, Lorraine, yelling for him to: “Get out of the smoke!”
Meanwhile, neighbor Stacy Izadi arrived saying she had seen smoke from her window. She too, called for help.
It was only a few minutes before we heard sirens. The first to arrive was Cabin John Volunteer Fire Department, followed in a few minutes by equipment from Carderock, Bethesda and Rockville.
The house was engulfed with smoke. Flames were shooting from the roof.
In all, twelve pieces of equipment arrived, including four rescue units. Fire personnel worked with the efficiency of a well-run clock. Hoses were hooked up from two directions. Water was flowing in minutes.
Watching the men in action was an exercise in wonder. (One just assumes they are men. Beneath all of their protection gear, it’s anyone’s guess.) They were professionals personified with an aura of assurance that spelled a certainty to all in the crowd that quickly gathered.
“Has anyone called John?” one neighbor asked, referring to the home owner, Dr. John Umhau. We had learned that his wife and children were visiting out-of-town. No one knew his office number, but a call went to his father’s office.
When the owner finally arrived, which included a rather extensive walk from where he had to park until he reached his home, the fire was pretty much under control. This was certainly due to the efficiency of a cooperative fire personnel team including Battalion Chief Wayne Courtney at the mobile command post directing the crew. Within an hour, the fire was smoldering.
“There seems to be rather extensive damage,” Chief Rich Bowers said. In addition to a destroyed family room the entire home was inundated with water and smoke damage.
There were approximately $250,000 in damages, said Eugene Roesser spokesperson for the Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department.
The fire was started by a bathroom ceiling exhaust fan inadvertently left running. A fire inspector at the scene advised that this was one of the main reasons for house fires, right up there with children playing with matches.
It was hard to estimate the number of personnel in action. From hookup, to the auxiliary providing snacks and beverages after the job was finished, the area was swarming with those responsible for assuring the citizens of Montgomery County, that, if you need them, they will be there. They know what they are doing. If something as devastating as this happens it is good to know we have the very best to call on.
It gives you a warm feeling.