During the early evening of Christmas Eve, 1953, the Ellicott City Fire Department was dispatched to a dwelling fire on Old Columbia Pike. The fire department responded and upon arrival found the second floor of a three story house fully involved. The dwelling was completely destroyed. During clean up, a mass of bricks from a falling chimney struck four volunteers, causing the death of Captain Charles Ditch, as well as Lieutenant Joseph Stigler.
Captain Ditch became a member of the department on June 17, 1931. He served as Captain, Lieutenant, and Engineer. He was responsible for the fire department’s first Christmas garden, built and displayed to the public. He permitted the department to install their first emergency radio transmitted in his home on Hill Street.
He left behind a wife and young daughter.
