BAVFC 1972 Activity History Highlights Major Fires, Rescues, Fatal Incidents, Hurricane Agnes Response, and Mutual Aid Operations

The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company’s 1972 activity history reflects one of the more demanding years in the department’s historical record, with major fire losses, serious rescue incidents, flooding operations, mutual aid responses, and extended fireground activity. Throughout the year, BAVFC crews responded to dwelling fires, apartment fires, building fires, barn fires, brush fires, vehicle rescues, water rescues, a trench rescue, and emergency operations related to Hurricane Agnes.

The year began on January 9 with a fatal personal injury rescue at Routes 1 and 152. Crews used a winch, radial saw, and bar during the rescue operation. One fatality was reported. T. Broumel served as acting officer.

On January 22, BAVFC responded to a building fire at Bel Air Plaza near Cash Loan. Crews laid a significant amount of hose during the operation. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On January 25, crews responded to an apartment fire in the 31 block of East Pennsylvania Avenue. Fire was located in the living room, and crews used approximately 300 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On January 30, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid apartment fire near Jarrettsville and Cooptown roads. Two young female occupants died in the fire. Company 3 responded with four engines and an ambulance. Several firefighter injuries were reported, including serious burns and a first-degree burn. Companies 3, 7, 6, and 10, along with Battalion Chief 47, operated on the scene. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

February opened with one of the largest fires of the year. On February 2, BAVFC responded to a major building fire in the 33 block of South Main Street at the Red Fox Restaurant. The fire started in the basement and also damaged Tallie’s Jewelry, Main Street Market, Boyd & Fulford, The Hub, Vaughn Apartments, Mike’s Barber Shop, and Bel Air Office Products. Companies 1 through 12 responded to the location. Damage was estimated at approximately $2 million. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On February 17, crews responded to an apartment fire in the 30 block of East Pennsylvania Avenue. The fire was attributed to smoking in bed. Crews used approximately 300 gallons of water and operated for approximately three hours. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On February 18, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 1500 block of Rock Spring Avenue, again attributed to smoking in bed. The fire was small in nature. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On February 19, crews responded to a building fire in the 23 block of Ellendale Street at Bel Air Mechanical and Utility Company. The fire was started by a gas heater. Crews operated during snowy conditions and used approximately 900 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On February 21, BAVFC responded to a building fire near Moores Mill Road and Route 1 involving a vacant structure. The fire was listed as arson. Crews used approximately 600 gallons of water. T. Broumel served as acting officer.

On February 23, crews responded to a dwelling fire on Whitehouse Road near Route 1 involving a mobile home. Crews operated in cold conditions and used approximately 2,150 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On February 27, BAVFC responded to a fatal personal injury collision on Route 22 between Prospect Mill and Thomas Run roads. Two fatalities were reported. B. Banick served as acting officer.

March included mutual aid, brush fire, dwelling, and building fire activity. On March 3, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire near Route 165 and Nelson Mill Road. Company 3 responded with one engine and used approximately 600 gallons of water. Companies 7 and 10 also operated on the scene. H. Matthews served as acting officer.

On March 11, BAVFC responded to a brush fire near MacPhail Road and Jackson Boulevard involving approximately 10 acres. Brush 441 also assisted. Crews operated for approximately three hours. T. Broumel served as acting officer.

On March 15, crews responded to a dwelling fire near Ruff’s Mill Road and Route 1 involving a trailer. Delta also assisted, and crews used approximately 600 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On March 20, BAVFC responded to a building fire at Hickory Canning on Route 1. Engine 72 also assisted. Crews operated for approximately three hours and used about 4,250 gallons of water. B. Banick served as acting officer.

On March 23, crews responded to a building fire at the end of Franklin Street at Franklin Concrete. The fire was listed as arson, and crews used approximately 600 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

April included several barn fires and a fatal crash. On April 2, BAVFC responded to a building fire involving a barn and root cellar in the 200 block of Patterson Mill Road.

On April 3, crews responded to a barn fire in the 2000 block of Churchville Road. The fire was reported to have been started by a child playing with matches. Engine 17 also assisted, and crews used approximately 2,250 gallons of water. B. Banick served as acting officer. That same date, BAVFC responded to a fatal personal injury collision on Foxcroft Drive involving a dump truck and a child on a bicycle.

On April 4, crews responded to a barn fire on Forge Hill Road off Route 1. Company 9 assisted with two engines, and crews used approximately 1,000 gallons of water. B. Banick served as acting officer.

On April 27, BAVFC responded to a barn fire on Sharon Road off Route 24. Company 7 assisted with two engines. Crews used approximately 1,350 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $35,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On May 16, crews responded to a building fire at Spring Bottom Natural Foods in the 2100 block of Conowingo Road. The fire involved a garage and house. Engine 74 also assisted. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

June was marked by major fire, rescue, and flooding activity. On June 8, BAVFC responded to a building fire near Roland and Howard streets involving a barn. The fire was listed as arson, and crews used approximately 200 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On June 9, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid building fire at Hamilton Park Swim Club on Creswell Road. Company 3 responded with two engines. C. Jacobson served as acting officer.

On June 17, crews responded to a building fire on Carrs Mill Road near the bridge involving a large shed. Engine 74 also assisted. Crews operated for approximately three hours and used about 6,000 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On June 22, BAVFC responded to a water rescue near Route 1 and Moores Mill Road. Crews used two 150-foot lengths of three-quarter-inch rope to rescue two people from a trailer surrounded by approximately three feet of water. D. Woodward served as acting officer. The same date marked the beginning of Hurricane Agnes-related calls, as flooding conditions affected the region.

On June 23, BAVFC provided standby coverage under Signal 203 during flooding conditions in Havre de Grace. On June 24, crews handled a horse rescue, with the animal ultimately extricated after being startled by air brakes. That same date, BAVFC again provided Signal 203 standby, and ambulances assisted with evacuating people from Harford Memorial Hospital.

July included a lightning-related fire, a fatal crash, and a mutual aid response. On July 8, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 1800 block of Angelside Drive caused by lightning in the attic. Company 7 assisted with one engine. Crews used approximately 100 gallons of water and operated for approximately three hours. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On July 15, BAVFC responded to a fatal personal injury collision on the Bel Air Bypass near Benson. One fatality was reported.

On July 16, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire near Route 152 and Pleasantville Road. The incident involved fire on the second floor of a two-story home. Company 7 and Battalion Chief 47 also assisted, and crews operated for approximately four hours. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

August included mutual aid, silo, and dwelling fire responses. On August 2, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire on Asbury Road involving a trailer. The small fire was reported to have been started by a child playing with matches. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On August 7, Truck 331 assisted with a mutual aid building fire at Indian Springs Farm on Route 136 north of Deer Creek. The incident involved a silo, and crews operated for approximately four hours. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On August 14, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire near Route 24 and Howard Road involving a home under construction. Crews operated for approximately three hours, used approximately 7,000 gallons of water, and deployed a deck gun during fire suppression. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On August 16, crews responded to a vacant dwelling fire on Wakley Terrace. The fire was listed as arson. Crews used approximately 1,800 gallons of water and operated for approximately three hours. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On September 22, BAVFC responded to a building fire near Schucks Road and Route 22 on the Bedsell property. The fire involved a barn. Company 1 assisted with two engines. Crews used approximately 10,200 gallons of water. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

October was a particularly difficult month for rescue operations. On October 1, crews responded to a personal injury rescue on Ady Road near Smithson Drive. Firefighters used a winch, port-a-power, and radial saw during extrication. Three fatalities were reported, and one patient was flown from the scene. H. Matthews served as acting officer.

On October 7, BAVFC responded to a personal injury rescue in the 2500 block of Conowingo Road. One fatality was reported. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On October 21, crews responded to a dwelling fire on Lake Fanny Drive. Firefighters used approximately 750 gallons of water and operated for about two hours. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On October 31, BAVFC responded to a trench rescue in the 200 block of East Belcrest Road after a man became buried up to his waist. The patient was transported to Hospital No. 220. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

November included dwelling fires and another fatal crash. On November 7, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 1600 block of Redfield Road involving bedrooms. Crews used approximately 200 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On November 25, BAVFC responded to a two-alarm dwelling fire in the 2100 block of Geneva Place. Companies 1, 4, and 9 also assisted. Crews operated for approximately three hours and used approximately 3,000 gallons of water. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On November 26, crews responded to a fatal personal injury collision on Prospect Mill Road. One fatality was reported.

The year closed on December 16 with a dwelling fire in the 1400 block of South Fountain Green Road. The fire was caused by an oil stove. Company 4 assisted with two engines. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

The 1972 activity history demonstrates the broad range of services provided by the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, including fire suppression, rescue operations, EMS support, water rescue, flood response, mutual aid coverage, and major fireground operations. The year was marked by several fatal incidents, major commercial fire damage, and the department’s response to Hurricane Agnes and the flooding that followed.

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