Photos
A man and his three dogs safely escaped a fire that left his Bel Air home in shambles.
Around 9:05 p.m. flames erupted in the house in the 200 block of Broadview Avenue in Bel Air, off MD Route 1 across from the Bel Air Auto Auction, according to Rich Gardiner spokesman for Harford Volunteer Fire and EMS.
"I heard a pop noise and the car port was on fire," resident Robert Mehl said Thursday night as he stood on a neighbor's porch.
Mehl said he believes the fire started outside. He added he sacrificed his cars to the fire so he could get his dogs to safety.
Gardiner said the original 911 call indicated people may be trapped inside the home, but when firefighters arrived, Mehl and his dogs were already safely out of the burning home.
Volunteer firefighters from Abingdon, Bel Air and Fallston volunteer fire companies brought the fire under control in about 20 minutes, Gardiner said.
"It was hard to get inside because there were a lot of contents in the home," Gardiner said.
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In This article
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Rich Gardiner
Joined Patch Wednesday, May 4, 2011 -
Harford County Vol Fire & EMS Association
Joined Patch Wednesday, January 5, 2011 -
Bel Air Volunteer Fire Co
109 S Hickory Ave, Bel Air, MD
sharon gray
11:28 pm on Thursday, March 15, 2012
sorry about your loss...however commend you on saving yourself and your dogs...the cars and things in house can be replaced the love of those three dogs could not......
katie
7:39 am on Friday, March 16, 2012
Remember, its not about the material things, its about the things you love.your dogs could never be replaced but everything else can be.prays go out to you
Kaila
9:57 am on Friday, March 16, 2012
The fire was out the first time in 20 minutes but then it started back up and wasn't out until after 10pm
harfordman
11:09 am on Friday, March 16, 2012
Do
harfordman
11:17 am on Friday, March 16, 2012
Do to the double roof and all the clutter in the house there is no wonder it flared back up,Can't believe thay saved as much of the house as they did.People need to realize that keeping a house the way that one must have been inside is going to get someone hurt one of these day's.Great job by all the Firefighter's and the EMT'S.
Karen
11:45 am on Friday, March 16, 2012
Keeping a house in what way, specifically? All the article said was there was a lot of contents in the home. I know you have never been in the home, so are you a firefighter that was there, in the home, harfordman? I salute all that public safety personnel do, but I am extremely offended you have chosen to toot your own horn on a comment board, obviously passing judgement and violating the basic code of ethics that all of us public safety personnel are sworn to follow.
Chris Ferris
1:25 pm on Friday, March 16, 2012
Wow! What a judgemental comment! What do you know about the situation- nothing! From reading your previous comments on fires, either your a "want to be" fire/emt professional or you are a public servant. SHAME ON YOU!!!!! Do you think your the fire marshall? Sounds like this fire may have even started outside of the home! Did you mention that?
harfordman
12:42 pm on Friday, March 16, 2012
Karen,the three article's I read two of them said heavy content's and the 3rd said severe cluttering and a double roof,so get in your car like I did and ride by the house and you will see the the front yardIm thinking it had to come from the house.Yes I do agree with you but then again read all the articles in all the paper's around Harford and Baltimore County on the fire.Have a great weekened.
harfordman
1:54 pm on Friday, March 16, 2012
Relax,put you energy in where it count's .Call American Red Cross and donate today 410-624-2000.
Karen
2:46 pm on Friday, March 16, 2012
Harfordman, that is my FATHER'S house. I grew up in that house. I know EVERYTHING I need to know. He is a recent widower and had inventory stored in the house from a business he recently decided to close. He doesn't need any more grief from a couch quarterback. YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED!
Diane Feeney
11:01 pm on Saturday, March 17, 2012
(((((Karen))))) <-- Hugs to you over your loss! I am so very sorry!!!
Evelyn Thomas
2:59 pm on Friday, March 16, 2012
I sincerely hope the powers that be read harfordman's posts. If he works for the Red Cross or Fire Dept he should be terminated for violating their media policy. I could only imagine what my belongings would look like burnt and spread across my yard. How pretentious if you. My prayers are with the entire family as they endure through these difficult times.
Sheeple
1:19 pm on Saturday, March 31, 2012
Are you familar with their "media policy"
Michelle Watters
5:57 pm on Friday, March 16, 2012
hi karen, I am sorry for your Mom's loss and your Dad's house. I know how hard it is to lose a loved one and now to have this on top of it. I rode by the house today and only noticed a sofa and a couple of cabinets outside. geez who doesn't have that in there home. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Michelle Watters
Karen
2:58 am on Saturday, March 17, 2012
Everyone's positive thoughts and prayers are sincerely appreciated. Thank you, Karen
MVPHKR
11:57 am on Saturday, March 17, 2012
Another great job by Harford County's excuse for a fire department. Standing outside and squirting water is what they do best.
Diane Feeney
11:00 pm on Saturday, March 17, 2012
Does this comment require a "sarcasm font" or am I just not hearing what you are saying?
PatchyHarCo
11:13 am on Wednesday, March 21, 2012
MVPHKR, you would know since providing a direct irrigation source for the cleansing of female genitalia is all you can ever hope to be. Lucky for you you succeeded!
Kelly Hamilton
7:57 am on Sunday, March 18, 2012
Karen, I saw you at the house yesterday. If you are back today I will come say hi. I am so sorry about all of this. You are as amazing as ever. I respect all the things you haven't said. That your dad is retired from the Baltimore Co Fire Dept. That you are a Director. I saw lots of cars drive by, including a marked BAVFD suv that didn't even stop. And I saw you crying. My heart goes out you. Please stop by my parents house if you need anything, we are all thinking of and praying for you
Michelle Watters
12:54 am on Tuesday, March 20, 2012
MVPHKR Are you associated with a volunteer fire department? What exactly did you expect them to do in this situation? These people donate there time under adverse conditions and do not need criticism from people like you.
Michelle Watters
12:57 am on Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Hi Karen, please let me know if there is anything I can do to help your family. I to have driven by but I did not see any family in the yard. if I had I would have stopped and expressed my sympathy. My email is gingermom.1@netzero.com. Take care, michelle
Steven Chimmel
12:06 pm on Wednesday, March 21, 2012
MVPHKR- heres what the homeowner has to say. I dont think she cared if they were getting a paycheck or not. http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/harford/opinion-talk/letter-editor/ph-ag-letter-gostomski-0321-20120320,0,605073.story
Head Shaker
12:14 pm on Wednesday, March 21, 2012
I wish "people" that criticize the volunteers and have such a WEALTH of knowledge could donate a small portion of their time to training them RIGHT if YOU feel their doing wrong. Clearly you have the time to bad mouth the department so surely you can make the time to better it.