On Monday January 12, 2004 at about 7:14 pm, the St. Mary’s County communication’s center dispatched a commercial fire alarm at the Charlotte Hall Veteran’s Home. Units from Mechanicsville, Hughesville and Waldorf fire departments responded. Upon Mechanicsville’s arrival, information was received that there was a fire in the basement of the “C” wing laundry room and the assignment was upgraded.

Hughesville’s engine 23 was assigned to check the “D” wing status which was cleared. By then, Mechanicsville’s crews discovered a fire in the “C” wing laundry room ceiling. Most of the fire was extinguished by Veteran’s Home staff on the scene.