EMMITSBURG, MD – Around 8:30 PM on Friday, July 19, firefighters from around Pennsylvania were gathered at the National Fire Academy in Maryland for the PA State Weekend of training. Attendees heard fire whistles in the distance and quickly found out a nearby church was on fire. A column of smoke could be seen from the Academy grounds.
The fire was found to be on the campus of Mount Saint Mary’s University. The fire appeared to start from a lightning strike during a severe thunderstorm that recently moved through the area.
Firefighters found heavy smoke pouring from the steeple of the historic church. Emmitsburg set up its tower ladder and began flowing an elevated master stream into the steeple.
Smoke and flames continued to come from the steeple as the second alarm was struck brining in multiple companies from Maryland and Pennsylvania. Multiple water sources were secured throughout the campus.
The fire continued to burn for over an hour while a large group of firefighters from the Academy came to buff the scene and watch the guys in action. The fire was contained to the steeple area and caused significant damage.
