On Monday, January 24, 2022, three Baltimore City Firefighters were tragically killed while fighting a row house fire. Lieutenant Paul Butrim, Firefighter/Paramedic Kelsey Sadler & Firefighter/Paramedic Kenneth Lacayo were engaged in an interior attack of the fire when a significant portion of the home suddenly collapsed. Baltimore Firefighter John McMaster is currently hospitalized with critical injuries.Firefighter/Paramedic Kenneth Lacayo was a Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad Life Member and graduated from Wheaton High School. In addition to his service with the Baltimore City Fire Department, Kenny had volunteered in Wheaton for almost 11 years.
The Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad released a statement remembering Kenny:
“Kenny joined the Rescue Squad in May of 2011 and steadily advanced through the ranks. He became a firefighter in 2012, a paramedic in 2014, and a founding member of the Honor Guard in 2017. Among his many awards he received the Rescue Squad’s award for paramedic of the year in 2016 and was recognized as a top ten responder in 2015 and 2016. He also received a unit citation in 2018 for his life saving actions in responding to a pedestrian struck by a car.
His exceptional skills as a firefighter and paramedic were matched by his bright smile and his unfailing good nature. He was dearly loved by his fellow WVRS volunteers and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Kenny’s family, his many friends, and his brothers and sisters in the Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service and the Baltimore City Fire Department.”
The Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad has also setup a GoFundMe page (a secure online fundraiser) to support Kenny’s family.
Beginning June 1, 2021, the Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad will resume hosting event rentals. According to a written statement posted on the Squad’s website, “Renters will be required to comply with all Montgomery County Government (MCG) public health guidelines.”
The Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad responded to more than 10,000 emergency calls in 2020, and their volunteers volunteered over 90,000 hours of service.
Public tours of the Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad’s station remain suspended until further notice. When possible, the Rescue Squad says they will park their vehicles to the public outdoors in front of their building. Blood Pressure screenings and other assistance remain available in the Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad’s front lobby.
Man Seriously Injured in Capitol View Avenue Crash
Photo Courtesy of the Kensington Volunteer Fire Department
Around 8PM Monday evening, Montgomery County Career Firefighters along with volunteers from the Kensington Volunteer Fire Department and Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad responded to a serious crash on Capitol View Avenue near Meredith Avenue.
Responders arrived and found a crash with three occupants injured. One of the patients was trapped and had to be freed from the wreckage using the Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad’s extrication tools. Out of the three patients, two had minor injuries and one had serious injuries. The three patients were transported by Kensington and Wheaton Volunteers to area hospitals.
The Montgomery County Police 2nd District was investigating whether the vehicle that ultimately crashed on Capitol View had previously struck any other vehicles Monday evening.
Electrical Fault Sparks Wheaton St. Patrick’s Day Attic Fire
Photo Courtesy Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer
Shortly after 9PM on Wednesday, Montgomery County Career Firefighters along with Volunteer Firefighters from the Kensington Volunteer Fire Department, Rockville Volunteer Fire Department, and Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad responded to a reported house fire in the 2800 block of Parker Avenue in Wheaton.
Responders arrived and found fire showing from the attic and roof of a one story house. Their response was delayed, however, because the fire burned undetected until a passerby spotted it and called 911.
According to Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, the fire was sparked by faulty electrical wiring in the attic above the front door. The fire was estimated to have caused $200,000 in damage.
