Just minutes before 0500 hours volunteers from Cobb Island were alerted for a transfer to assist Colonial Beach Fire Department in Westmoreland County, Virginia. Colonial Beach VFD requested the fill in due to them being on scene of a working building fire at the old high school in town. The section of the building that was on fire was the vacant and abandoned portion of the old high school.

As Engine 61 went on radio enroute to the transfer with four personnel, they were alerted to respond directly to the fireground at 315 Douglass Street. Minutes later Fire Boat 6 was alerted to assist with water supply. The municipal water system had been overwhelmed by the demand for water supply to suppress the fire. Fire Boat 6 responded with 3 personnel to assist and draft water from the Potomac River. Engine 61 and Fire Boat 6 arrived to the fireground minutes apart and were assigned to the water supply group. Fire Boat 6 supplied water through a water relay that included Engine 61 approximately a half mile to the fireground. The additional water from the Potomac River had an immediate positive impact on suppression of the fire. Two ladder pipes were able to be put into service as a result. The building was a total loss.

Company 6 maintained an additional crew back at the station and Cobb Island EMS was working an ambulance response in the first due at the time of the fire.