BAVFC 1990 Activity History Highlights Fires, Rescues, Mutual Aid Responses, Plane Crash, and Major Fireground Operations

The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company’s 1990 activity history reflects a year of fire suppression, rescue operations, EMS response, mutual aid support, and extended fireground operations. Throughout the year, BAVFC crews responded to dwelling fires, apartment fires, barn fires, building fires, serious motor vehicle collisions, mutual aid incidents, and a plane crash with fire near Company 3 House 2.

The year began with mutual aid fire activity. On January 5, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid building fire on Putnam Road, Box 1310, involving a barn.

February included local dwelling fires. On February 3, crews responded to a dwelling fire on Conowingo Road across from Ruff’s Mill Road. The vacant structure was involved on arrival, and crews focused on protecting nearby exposures. Harrington served as acting officer.

On February 6, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 3100 block of Lochary Road. Fire was located in the attic. Damage was estimated at approximately $10,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

March brought apartment and dwelling fires. On March 8, crews responded to an apartment fire on Orley Place. Fire involved a second-floor bedroom, and damage was estimated at approximately $50,000. R. Ensor served as acting officer.

On March 17, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire on Lyndale Court, Box 333. Fire involved a second-floor bedroom and hallway and was reported to have started from a candle. Damage was estimated at approximately $45,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

April included two significant structure fires. On April 11, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 500 block of Vale Road involving a vacant two-story house. The building was fully involved on arrival, preventing interior operations. Damage was estimated at approximately $45,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On April 26, BAVFC responded to an apartment fire in the 800 block of Old English Court. The call was dispatched with a rescue assignment, and crews found fire involving two bedrooms, a hallway, and the kitchen. Damage was estimated at approximately $50,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

July was especially active for rescues and mutual aid fires. On July 10, crews responded to a personal injury rescue in the 2100 block of Rock Spring Road. One fatality was reported. Firefighters used spreaders and cutters to complete the extrication from a vehicle that had come to rest in a cornfield, in the area where Forest Lakes would later be located. R. Ensor served as acting officer.

On July 20, Engine 314 arrived first at a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 2400 block of Creswell Road, Box 413. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On July 22, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid building fire involving a barn in the 1900 block of Jerrys Road, Box 731. E. Hopkins served as acting officer.

On July 23, crews responded to a building fire at the Country Village Clubhouse on Idlewild Road after a lightning strike. Damage was estimated at approximately $50,000. Harrington served as acting officer.

On July 30, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid dwelling fire on Stirrup Run Drive, Box 725. The incident involved a large home that was fully involved. Engine 314 arrived first on the scene. Crews operated during hot weather conditions. E. Hopkins served as acting officer.

Also on July 30, Engines 314 and 315 responded to a mutual aid building fire involving a barn in the 1600 block of Jerrys Road, Box 731.

September included a fatal dwelling fire, a plane crash, and a major mutual aid response. On September 4, Truck 331 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire with rescue in the 2200 block of Castleton Road, Box 915. One fatality was reported. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On September 9, BAVFC responded to a plane crash with fire next to Company 3 House 2. One fatality was reported. Crews remained on the scene for an extended period and assisted with recovery operations for the National Transportation Safety Board. Dn. MacLean served as acting officer.

That same day, crews assisted with a three-alarm mutual aid dwelling fire on Stratford Road, Box 841. The incident involved a log cabin, and Company 3 crews performed extensive overhaul. Yost served as acting officer.

On October 22, BAVFC responded to a personal injury rescue on Rock Spring Road beneath the Bel Air Bypass. The crash involved two priority-two patients and one priority-one patient. Firefighters used spreaders, cutters, and a saw during the rescue operation. P. Caudill served as acting officer.

November included several significant mutual aid fires. On November 5, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm barn fire in the 1900 block of Pleasantville Road, Box 1308. Crews flowed water for an extended period. Harrington served as acting officer.

On November 20, Truck 331 assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid dwelling fire on Berkeley Road, Box 913. The two-story house was destroyed. During operations, Truck 331 became stuck in mud, and Brush 341 was used in an attempt to pull it free. P. Caudill served as acting officer.

On November 23, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid dwelling fire in the 1800 block of Cosner Road, Box 1328. Engine 315 arrived first, and Engine 314 arrived third. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

December closed the year with multiple building and dwelling fires. On December 5, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid building fire in Box 927HR, where crews completed significant truck work. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On December 15, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 18 block of Three Acres Lane, Box 303. Fire involved a second-floor bedroom, and damage was estimated at approximately $30,000. Harrington Sr. served as acting officer.

On December 26, crews responded to a building fire involving a fully involved barn in the 1000 block of Thomas Run Road, Box 324. Damage was estimated at approximately $50,000. Harrington Sr. served as acting officer.

On December 31, BAVFC responded to a building fire in Box 365 involving a large shed in the 3100 block of Grier Nursery Road. Damage was estimated at approximately $10,000. D. Vaughn served as acting officer.

The 1990 activity history demonstrates the broad range of services provided by the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, including fire suppression, rescue operations, EMS support, mutual aid coverage, and major incident operations. It also reflects the demanding conditions faced by crews during fires, rescues, and extended assignments throughout the year.

Residents are encouraged to follow BAVFC for department updates, fire prevention information, and opportunities to support or volunteer with the company.