Early this morning Howard County Communications began receiving calls advising of a house on fire in Cooksville. At 00:05, units responded to the 2100 block of Route 97 in the 13-1 box for a reported fire on the second floor of a possibly vacant house. Upon arrival Engine 131 found a farm house with heavy fire showing from the second floor and requested the task force be started. Engine 131, Engine 41, and Engine 32 began a primary search and interior attack. Units were able to confirm that the house was vacant and began extinguishing the significant fire in the attic area. Chief 3 arrived and assumed the command while Chief 2 assumed safety. Engine 31 had RIT while Water Supply 3 began securing a secondary water source.
The fire was placed under control at 02:40 and crews assisted personnel from the Office of the Fire Marshal with their investigation, after which CAFS was utilized to ensure any hot spots were extinguished.
No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation. Howard County Police shut down Route 97 in the area while fire department units operated. Units cleared at 05:17.
Thanks again to Doug Walton, DFRS Office of Public Information, for several of the attached pictures.