AUDIO: Two Firefighters and One Home Occupant Injured After House Fire in Bushwood

February 16, 2021

On February 15, 2021, at 7:11 p.m., firefighters in St. Mary’s County responded to 37240 Gibson Road in Bushwood, for the reported chimney fire that was believed to have spread into the attic.

Crews arrived on the scene to find a one story single family dwelling with fire showing from all four sides.

70 firefighters responded and controlled the fire in approximately 45 minutes.

The estimated loss of structure and contents is valued at 400,000.00

Investigation determined the fire started in the ceiling space and caused by the chimney. The resident discovered the fire and escaped the residence without injury.

The owner, identified as Joyce Donaldson, was transported to an area hospital due to a medical emergency. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries and have since been treated and released from an area hospital.

All photos are courtesy of the Seventh District Volunteer Fire Department. Two Seventh District Apparatus staffed with 13 firefighters arrived on the scene within 4 minutes after the dispatch. Volunteer with them by clicking here!


On Monday, February 15, 2021, at approximately 7:10 p.m., firefighters from Seventh District, Leonardtown, Mechanicsville, Hollywood, Valley Lee and Bay District responded to 37240 Gibson Road in Bushwood, for the reported chimney fire that was possibly spreading to the attic.

Crews arrived on the scene to find a single story residence with fire showing from all four sides.

13 firefighters from Seventh District arrived on the scene within 4 minutes after the dispatch and immediately made an aggressive interior attack.

As firefighters entered the structure, they reported a partial collapse at the front door on the first floor with incident command reporting fire showing from all four sides along with fire through the roof.

A short time after crews made entry, firefighters encountered multiple attack line failures and two firefighters were reportedly injured, one was pulled out from the residence by other personnel.

Due to the amount of fire and hose line failures, evacuation tones were sounded and all personnel were ordered to exit the structure.

Two firefighters and a 73 year-old female were transported to an area hospital with unknown severity of injuries.

The Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal was requested to respond to investigate the cause of the fire.

All photos are courtesy of the Seventh District, Hollywood, and Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Departments.

Updates will be provided when they become available.