Mayday Declared During Baltimore County Apartment Fire; Firefighter Killed, Residents Injured

Firefighter Nation

PARKVILLE, Md. - A Baltimore County volunteer firefighter has died while fighting a multiple-alarm apartment fire that has injured several people.

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The fire broke out in an apartment complex at 30 Dowling Circle at approximately 7:00 p.m. Wednesday. Several residents were rescued during the initial operations.

According to Chief John Hohman crews were working on the second and third floors when a flashover occurred.

During the course of the fire a mayday was declared for an injured firefighter. WBAL reports that Baltimore County Fire Spokesman Elise Armacost says the firefighter was transported to a hospital with serious injuries life threatening injuries.

The fallen firefighter was later identified as Mark Falkenhan, a volunteer with the Lutherville Volunteer Fire Company.

Falkenham is survived by a wife and two children. Falkenham had recently left a career position with the Baltimore County Fire Department to pursue an opportunity with the U.S. Secret Service. He also worked as an instructor for the University of Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute.

One of the injured civilians was transported to John Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in critical condition due to burn injuries.

The fire is reported to have started in a kitchen and spread to upper floors. Chief Hohman states that the department will begin investigating to see if the proper procedures were followed and what lessons can be learned from the incident.

Related
WBAL AM: Fire In Baltimore County
ABC2: 4 Alarm Apartment Fire In Parkville
WBAL: 3-Alarm Apartment Fire Injures Several
CBS: Baltimore County Fire Department Battles 4-Alarm Blaze
Baltimore Sun: Firefighter, 2 Residents Hurt In Fire
WBFF: 3 Hurt, Including Firefighter
STATter911: Four-Alarm Fire With Mayday In Baltimore County
The Fire Critic: Firefighter Injured At 4-Alarm Fire In Md.

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Permalink Reply by Bill B Zilar on January 20, 2011 at 9:18am

For the family, friends, and fellow brothers and sisters of the Lutherville VFD...our hearts and prayers are with you all.
Blessings.

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Permalink Reply by Volunteer112 on January 20, 2011 at 9:32am

Rest now my fallen brother
Lay soft your suffering back
Rest well and forever
Your memory shall not lack
Rest your tired hands
Wipe clean your weary brow
Rest with St. Florian
Your spirit now endowed
Rest here your breaking heart
We know you gave your all
Rest easy, you’ve done your part
You’ve answered your last call
Rest knowing that in god we sought
Oh lord, watch over another who just fell
Rest assured your troubled thought
As we ring the final bell.
- R. Hoffman, SSgt. USAF/MOANG, Firefighter, Rosecrans Airport, St. Joseph, Missouri -