SFD Responds to Thanksgiving Morning Blaze

Salisbury – In the early morning hours of Thanksgiving Day the Salisbury Fire Department was alerted and responded to a fire at the College Lane Apartments. All three Salisbury Fire Stations responded and found fire evident from the second and third floors of one apartment building.

SFD personnel acted quickly to extinguish the fire and evacuate residents who were in danger. Additional SFD units were requested to respond, and assistance was offered by the Fruitland, Delmar, and Hebron Fire Departments.

The fire was contained to the exterior balconies of two units, with some fire extension to the attic area of the building. Smoke damage was contained to the two units directly involved.

Ultimately all apartment units were evacuated without incident or injury to occupants or SFD personnel. Two families (7 total persons) were displaced and are being assisted by the American Red Cross. As a result of the rapid response of SFD personnel, only two of the sixteen units within the building sustained damage.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Office of the State Marshall. City Neighborhood Services and Code Compliance were called to assist.

SFD responded with 13 units and 32 personnel.

“A situation such as this one would obviously be a tragedy at any time—but for these families to be displaced on Thanksgiving is a truly terrible misfortune,” said Salisbury Mayor, Jake Day. “We are thankful that everyone made it out safe; we are thankful for the assistance of the Red Cross—today and anytime there is a local family experiencing crisis; and we’re thankful for our firefighters, who answer the call of duty whether it comes on a weekday, weekend, or Thanksgiving Day. With their swift action and bravery, SFD was able to contain the situation and save the residents from what certainly could have been a much, much worse outcome. I pledge our continued assistance to these families, to get them settled, and to help them have the best possible holiday season.”