Firefighters Spar in Turf Battle While House Burns: Chief

LANDOVER, MD — A turf war over which fire company was in charge at a Landover house fire escalated to shoving and punches -- all while the home was on fire -- and ended with assault charges filed against two volunteer firefighters.

Fire crews from Landover Hills and West Lanham Hills responded to the blaze Tuesday on 75th Avenue in Landover. Career firefighters from Landover Hills arrived first and were preparing to run fire hoses into the burning house when they were reportedly stopped by volunteer firefighters from West Lanham Hills.

The men accused of obstructing the career firefighters – both women – by blocking the doorway, punching them and then trying to drag the firefighters out of the house.

Jeff Miller and Christopher Kelly are charged with second-degree assault and obstructing firefighters. Both men are members of the West Lanham Hills Volunteer Fire Department.

Prince George’s County Fire Chief Marc Bashoor told WUSA there should never be a turf war among fire crews. All four firefighters are on leave for now.

“Couldn’t believe it, we’re all here for the same thing and when people arrive they expect us to be on top of their game all the time. And that doesn’t involve a turf war,” Bashoor said.

Miller and Kelly could be prosecuted under a new Maryland law that makes it a felony to assault firefighters or medics as they perform their jobs, reports NBC Washington. The maximum penalty for second-degree assault is 10 years in prison, while the obstruction charge carries a three-year prison sentence.

The shoving match did not significantly delay efforts to put out the fire, Prince George’s County Fire and EMS spokesman Mark Brady told NBC.

The fight has changed department policy, so the first engine on the scene is in charge until they are relieved by a higher-ranking officer when they arrive, Bashoor says.