At 1942 hours on July 24, 2012, Engine 805 was dispatched to the 1900 block of Rochelle Avenue for an apartment fire on Box 2615. Units dispatched on the first alarm included: Engine 826, Engine 808B, Engine 805, Engine 837B, Quint 838, Rescue Engine 827, Tower 833 and Battalion Chief 883. Working fire dispatch before units arrived included: Ambulance 830, Medic 829, Safety Officer 800, Southern Safety Officer, Battalion Chief 881, and Duty Chief.
Engine 826 and Chief 826 arrived on the scene with heavy fire on side charlie of the building and requested the second alarm. They found four units fully involved on the second and third floors, with fire extending to the roof. Units on the second alarm included: Engine 817, Engine 833, Engine 842, Truck 821, Truck825, Squad 806, Battalion Chief 884, Air Unit 816, and Canteen 801.
The remaining first alarm units arrived on the scene and went to work, including Engine 805, who arrived fourth due and ran the first line into the exposure building to keep the fire from extending to the adjacent building.
A special alarm was sounded bringing Engine 834 and Engine E819B to the scene.
At approximately 2010 hours the third alarm was transmitted bringing Engine 831, Alexandria Engine 204, Charles County Engine 3, Paramedic Engine 846, Truck 834, Fairfax Truck 411, Squad 820, Battalion Chief 887 to the scene. Paramedic Engine 838 was also requested on a special alarm.
Crews worked to bring the fire under control and fresh crews were used to give first-in firefighters a break.
Engine 805 was relieved and went for rehab and debriefing; they later returned to work, doing overhaul in the exposure building. While performing overhaul, the crew from Engine 805 discovered a large aquarium with five angry pythons. A request for Animal Control was made so the snakes could be secured.
Units from Charles, Anne Arundel counties and Virginia also transferred to stations throughout Prince George’s County during the incident. Over twenty residents were displaced from their homes.