A crash that left one person trapped in a car on Interstate 81 was among several emergencies that drew crews across Washington County, Maryland, and Franklin County, Pennsylvania, from Friday afternoon into the night.
Other calls included a vehicle striking a downtown Hagerstown building, a residential fire on High Street and a crash that closed Path Valley Road for several hours.
The Hagerstown Fire Department said in a social media post that its crews responded to multiple incidents Friday evening, highlighting the I-81 crash, a vehicle fire on Dual Highway, the West Franklin Street collision and the High Street fire.
Patient airlifted after I-81 crash
Emergency crews were dispatched about 5:24 p.m. to southbound I-81 near mile marker 9 for a crash involving a passenger car and a tractor-trailer, according to dispatch information.
Maugansville’s Squad 13 arrived first and reported a rear-end collision with one person heavily trapped in the car. Units from Washington and Franklin counties assisted with the response.
Radio traffic indicated the interstate would remain closed for an extended period while crews worked.
After freeing the patient, responders transported the person by ambulance to a hangar at Hagerstown Regional Airport. LifeNet then transported the patient by air. The patient’s condition and destination were not immediately available.
The crash temporarily closed the southbound lanes. One lane had reopened by about 6:50 p.m., although traffic reportedly remained backed up into Pennsylvania.
Vehicle strikes downtown building
Crews responded about 6:34 p.m. to a reported injury crash at 26 W. Franklin St. in downtown Hagerstown, where a vehicle struck a building.
Battalion Chief 3 assumed command and requested a building inspector. Details about injuries and the extent of the damage were not immediately available.
Later that night, firefighters were dispatched shortly before 10 p.m. to a reported structure fire at 211 High St., near Church Street and Salem Avenue.
A caller reported smoke and flames on the second floor of a two-story, multifamily residential building. Several fire companies responded.
Information about injuries, displaced residents, damage and the cause was not immediately available.
Path Valley Road crash prompts lengthy closure
In Franklin County, a crash with entrapment closed Path Valley Road for an extended period Friday evening.
Fannett Metal Fire and Ambulance said its rescue squad and an ambulance were dispatched about 7:37 p.m. Crews freed one person, who was transported to a trauma center.
A fuel spill prolonged the road closure. At 11:50 p.m., the fire company announced that the road had reopened but cautioned drivers traveling north of Spring Run that fuel and sand could leave the pavement slick.
The patient’s condition and the cause of the crash were not immediately available.
Other emergencies reported
Crews also responded to several other incidents during the afternoon and evening:
- An industrial accident at 1410 United Drive in Southampton Township, Franklin County, that sent one person to a hospital.
- A pickup truck fire at 450 Dual Highway in Hagerstown, where firefighters extinguished an engine compartment fire.
- A crash on northbound I-81 near mile marker 3 in the Williamsport area.
- A garage fire at 5785 Orstown Road in Letterkenny Township, Franklin County, dispatched about 6 p.m.
- A reported injury crash at Sister City Drive and West Boulevard in Hagerstown about 6:52 p.m.
Additional medical and fire calls were reported during the same period.
