WASHINGTON — The firefighters who ran into a burning Gaithersburg, Md., home after it was struck by a plane on Dec. 8, are being honored for their bravery.
According to a press release by the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, a Public Safety Unit Citation was awarded to the Montgomery County Department of Police, its Fire & Rescue Service and County Sheriff’s Office for the response to the tragedy, in which Marie Gemmell, 36, and her sons Cole, 3, and Devin, 1.5 months, were killed. The three were in an upstairs bathroom when a small jet careened into the house, which is now leveled.
The two split-level houses next door are still condemned. The three victims on the plane died of traumatic injuries.
In an interview with WJLA, county responders recounted the morning’s chaotic events. Paramedic Engine 728 was the first unit to arrive, finding the home already engulfed in flames. Firefighters next on the scene described how the blaze was too far gone to enter the home.
“Myself and Firefighter Dougherty made entry into the house and we advanced about 10 to 15 feet in, and the heat was just too intense and we had to pull back and wait for more firefighters to get there. And then we went back in,” said Captain Carl Mauney, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service.
It was some time, though, before they could get to the victims, perhaps an hour after the flames were extinguished.
“We did everything that we could to try and save that family, but even the fire professionals with their full gear could not get into the home. I wanted nothing more than to kick in that door and carry them out,” said Montgomery County Police Officer Michael Simpson.
See more interviews, here:
