March 28, 2024
Annapolis, US 49 F

Fire engine backs into Cape St. Claire firehouse, causes partial collapse

Full service continues from the Cape Saint Claire Fire Station after a Thursday night collision involving a piece of fire apparatus caused substantial damage to the building. The station, located at 1411 Cape St. Claire Road, was damaged in a backing accident involving a 2012 Pierce Arrow Pumper/Tanker (designated as Engine 194).

The incident occurred at approximately 10:00 p.m. as the crew was returning to the station. As they approached the station, the driver and officer in charge made the decision to back on to the front ramp, rather than placing firefighters on Cape St. Claire Road to spot the apparatus. As the vehicle was backed on to the ramp, the driver mistakenly believed he had the bay door lined up in his mirrors. In fact, the driver had two different bay doors in his mirrors and consequently the apparatus backed in to the exterior brick column between the two doors.

While there were no injuries, the damage to the station was substantial. The brick column was knocked down causing the lintel over two bay doors to collapse along with the brick wall above the doors up to the roof level. Both bay doors also collapsed.

The accident caused minor, cosmetic damage to the backing engine. A falling bay door damaged a mirror on an engine parked inside the station, a 2007 Pierce Pumper (designated as Engine 191).

The damaged areas of the station were secured and an inspection by a County building inspector determined that the rest of the building was safe for occupancy. Full service from the station was continued.

A thorough investigation of the incident will be conducted.

Source: AACoFD

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