Archives: Date in CHVFD History

Prince George’s County Fire Chief M.H. Estepp awarded two unit citations to the career and volunteer personnel at the Capitol Heights fire station. The first unit citation was awarded for “achieving the highest possible rating during the 1989 station inspections.” The second unit citation was awarded to career and volunteer personnel for “their commitment and dedication to both the fire service and the community”. Chief Estepp congratulated the crews for their “display of the advocacy for the health and welfare of the citizens of Prince George’s County in providing assistance above and beyond the normal call of duty to those citizens in need.” This unit citation was the result of efforts to improve the living conditions of a member of our community. This was our first Christmas in April project.

On this Thanksgiving Day, the Capitol Heights Volunteer Fire Department responded to a tragic house fire on 69th Street in Seat Pleasant. Units arrived to find heavy fire conditions throughout the house and reports of numerous children trapped inside the house. After the fire was under control, the bodies of six (6) children were found, ages 10, 5, 4, 2 and 7 month old twins. Eight (8) civilians and firefighters were injured as well. The home was equipped with a smoke alarm, but no battery was found inside. As a result of this fire, Fire Chief M. H. “Jim” Estepp (now retired), initiated the Post Incident Neighborhood Intervention Program (PINIP) to saturate the area around a tragic fire, checking smoke alarms and providing fire safety tips. This program is still in place today. For those firefighters that were on the scene that tragic day, the incident is forever etched into their minds.

Farmers protesting agricultural policies descended on Washington, DC. The protest was organized by the American Agricultural Movement and become known a “Tractorcade.” Thousands of farmers traveled to Washington, DC from all over the country in their tractors and camped out on the National Mall for several days. They quickly changed from agitators to heroes when two (2) feet of snow fell on the Washington metropolitan area. The farmers used their tractors to get nurses and doctors to and from hospitals and helped plow streets or tow vehicles that were stuck and blocking the streets. One farmer from the Midwest brought his tractor to Capitol Heights and responded with us to make sure we could get around. There was a slight learning curve for the farmers, when the Company was dispatched to house fire in Palmer Park, Robert McClelland, Jr. told the farmer “let’s go, this is us,” the farmer just jumped on the back step of Engine 53 with his jean jacket and cowboy hat. When Engine 53 arrived on the scene, they were surprised to find a snow covered farmer on the back step. We appreciated the farmer’s assistance. He preferred staying at the firehouse instead of being camped out on the National Mall.

Units from Capitol Heights and surrounding communities respond to a fire at the old Maryland Park Junior High School, located at 505 65th Street. The fire heavily damaged two of the three floors of this vacant school building and there was a partial roof collapse. The building had been vacant for about five (5) years prior to the fire. Master streams were used to bring this fire under control. Shortly after this fire the building was torn down. This site is now occupied by a church (200 block of Maryland Park Drive).

Ambulance 59 provides support during the 37th Presidential Inauguration for President Richard M. Nixon’s second term. On the evening of January 19, the ambulance crew

The Capitol Heights Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary opened the kitchen for pizzas and submarine sandwiches. This fund raising activity remained in operation 46 years until preparations started for the upcoming renovation in 2010.

The new firehouse, located at 6061 Central Avenue was dedicated and the move was made from the old firehouse. Chief William A. “Andy” Devine, Jr., President Alfred Laughery, Ladies Auxiliary President Helen Maxwell, and Mayor Elmer Hockman helped put the cornerstone in place. Subsequently, the old firehouse was sold to the Town of Capitol Heights and is used as the Town Hall.

The Capitol Heights Volunteer Fire Department responds to a house fire at 822 59th Avenue (now Nova Avenue). Firefighters arrived to find a badly burned man in a bed that was on fire. The man died of his injuries and the cause of the fire was determined to be smoking in bed.

Two brothers, ages 12 and 13 admitted in Juvenile Court to setting the October 5, 1959, 8 alarm fire at the Stembler & Ford Lumber Company. Both juveniles were turned over to the Child Welfare Department.

About mid-day, units were dispatched for a building fire at the Stembler & Ford Lumber Company, located on the corner of Central Avenue and 57th Avenue (now Larchmont Avenue). Units arrived on the scene to find heavy fire conditions throughout the property. Crews worked for several days to extinguish the fire and to protect nearby homes. The 8 alarm fire brought 16 companies from Prince George’s County and 3 from the District of Columbia. Twenty-five (25) firefighters suffered from exhaustion and smoke inhalation. Fire Chief Joseph LiCalzi was the incident commander. County Fire Marshal Lawrence Woltz estimated the fire loss at $450,000.