09/15/2026
At 11:39 on Monday September 15th, Montgomery County ECC received a call for a house on fire located in the 5900 block of Sonoma Road in Bethesda Box area 2001. ECC dispatched AT751 as the first due truck. Shortly after responding, ECC advised responding units that they were now receiving numerous calls advising fire located on the first-floor interior of the residence. MCFRS BC702 requested the RID (Rapid Intervention Dispatch) to be dispatched due to the additional calls. BC702 arrived and confirmed a working fire with flames evident on the Alpha side porch working up the side of the residence and assumed command. On the initial dispatched the occupant status was unknown, however one caller advised they believed that a dog was located inside. AT751, arriving just behind BC702 and split crews with 2 members deploying numerous ground ladders to the Alpha and Bravo sides of the residence while the remaining 2 members gained access to the residence. Once access was gained, members assisted with completing primary searches of the residence with the crew of RS741.
Command requested that a task force be started due to the heavy fire conditions throughout the residence. E751 was dispatched on the task force. Upon arrival, command assigned the engine company Division 3 and the crew of that unit assisted with overhaul operations. Once this assignment was complete, command released units that were dispatched as part of the task force. AT751 remained on location for the duration of the incident assisting MCFRS FEI (Fire & Explosives Investigations Unit) as well as assisted with overhaul once the investigation was concluded. The residence was unoccupied at the time of the fire; however, one dog (a family pet) was located and tragically did not survive the fire. Company 51 units operated on location for just over five hours prior to returning to service.
Photos credit of MCFRS PIO and Company 51 members on location.
