Man Struck By Lightning; Fire Calls Keep Crews Hopping During Storms

Sykesville Fire and EMS crews were busy on Monday, August 7, as a line of severe thunderstorms moved through the area.

The first call came in around 7:45 pm for the reported house fire in the 6000 block of White Rock Road in Winfield's first due district. Engine 123, Ladder 12 and Squad 12 responded for a report of an electrical burning odor. No fire was found, and units were placed in service a short time later.

As units were clearing the White Rock Road call, EMS crews were dispatched to the McKeldin area of Patapsco State Park for a man struck by lightning. Paramedic 129 and Life Support 12 responded from the station, while Squad 12 picked up the call on the street. A Department of Natural Resources park worker was struck by lightning as he was exiting his pickup truck. He managed to make his way to a shelter where he called for help. He was transported to Shock Trauma with what were believed to be non-life threatening injuries.

While that call was going on, Engine 123 was dispatched to the 7600 block of Norris Avenue in Sykesville for a report of wires on fire. The location was noted, and BGE was notified of the situation.

At 8:12 pm, there was another report of a house fire in Winfield's first due. Ladder 12 was dispatched to the 300 block of Bear Branch Road. As was the case with the earlier call, there was no fire, and crews quickly cleared.

At 8:17 pm, another wires on fire call was dispatched. Again, BGE was notified.

Then, at 8:44 pm; Engine 123, Ladder 12 and Squad 12 were dispatched to Howard County to assist West Friendship at a reported house fire in the 800 block of River Road. Captain Robbie Ruch arrived on the scene to find some smoke in the house. There was no major damage to the home.

At 9:10 pm, as crews were clearing the River Road call, Squad 12, Engine 123 and Ladder 12 were dispatched to assist Ellicott City firefighters at a two alarm fire in a row of townhomes in the 2100 block of Ganton Green. (See seperate story.) An attic fire was brought under control within an hour of the arrival of firefighters. There were no serious injuries.

While the Sykesville units were on the Ganton Green call, Gamber's Engine 134 transferred to Station 12. A pole fire was reported during that time in the area of College Avenue in Sykesville. Once more, the location was noted and BGE was notified.

Finally, at 12:15 am on Tuesday, another wires on fire call was received in the area of Marriottsville #2 and Arrington Roads.