At 1041 hours, fire communications transmitted box alarm 33-21. Reporting an apartment was on fire at 2906 Brightseat Road. This would turn out to be the second working apartment fire in this complex in four days. Engine 331 and Tower Ladder 33 responded on the run with 10 volunteers. As the company made their way up Landover Road toward the box, fire communications was now reporting people trapped. Engine 331 (OIC Rhode) arrived and took their own hydrant, adjacent to the building. As the crew advanced their attack line into the building, it was noticed that a terrace level apartment was on fire. The Tower Ladder arrived just seconds behind the engine company. Fireman Joe Brown, riding as the OIC on Tower Ladder 33, started to make his way into the common stairwell. He also was wearing a helmet camera, that was recording his every move. As Brown came to the fire apartment door, crew members rapidly forced entry. At this time heavy smoke began issuing from the doorway. Sergeant Rhode, Firemen Brown and Chris Floyd began rapidly searching the apartment, looking for the reported trapped occupant. Fireman Brown was the first to locate an unconscious elderly male. Brown removed him to the apartment entrance, were Sergeant Rhode and Fireman Floyd assisted in the final portion of the removal. As this rescue was taking place, the engine men began containing the main body of fire, located in the bedroom area. The elderly male was treated in the front yard and then passed off to paramedics that arrived on the scene. As of this articles posting, the man remains in critical condition. Suffering from burns and smoke inhalation. The fire was contained within minutes and units from Kentland 33 operated for just over an hour. Another occupant stuck above the fire was kept in place on the third floor and then later removed. That person suffered no injuries. The helmet camera that Fireman Joe Brown was wearing caught this entire act on film. The video shows the excellent work performed by the members of Kentland during this incident. Many local news stations, as well as CNN were on hand at Fire Station 33 this afternoon to speak with members involved with this act. CNN will feature a story on the Kentland Volunteers tomorrow morning (August 9th).You may click on the following links to view the footage and preview the rescue as it took place: FOX 5 NEWS, NEWS CHANNEL 9, NEWS CHANNEL 4

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