The Sykesville Fire Department along with fire departments from Carroll and three other counties fought a two alarm apartment building fire in Sykesville Saturday morning.

The original dispatch was at 4:25 am with reports of a working fire with rescue. First arriving units from Sykesville found heavy fire showing from a single bedroom basement apartment.

The first alarm fire dispatch included water tankers and water supply units as the area around Bethway Drive and parts of Gaither Road do not have fire hydrants.

Water was shuttled in from Gaither Road and Riverview Trail. Additional companies from Carroll, Howard, and Baltimore counties were dispatched for the Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) to help with the first alarm units.

Two more fire engines were requested to assist the crews on the scene, as the fire had penetrated the walls and ceiling to the adjoining first floor and second floor apartments. Command requested a second alarm, bringing in additional units from Carroll, Baltimore, Howard and Frederick Counties.

The fire was placed under control at 6:44 am. Efforts to fight this fire were difficult due to the building's wooden interior which were constructed in the 70's.

Anoccupant of the first floor apartment that was on fire was transported to The burn unit at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore for treatment of their injuries.

Firefighters were able to rescue the pets from the occupants of the building. The damaged 11 apartments in all, displacing 15 occupants. The Red Cross is providing assistance to these occupants.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Maryland State Fire Marshall's office.