Tag Archives: Maryland

Residential, Townhouse / Condominium

Abingdon, MD – Fire officials credit sprinkler system with containing townhouse fire to room of origin

State fire investigators credit a functioning smoke alarm and sprinkler system with alerting an Abingdon woman to a fire Friday afternoon and minimizing damage to the townhouse where she lives with other family members. The fire was reported shortly after 4 p.m. in the middle of a group townhouse in the 200 block of Ferring Court, according to the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association. Twenty firefighters responded from the Abingdon, Bel Air and Joppa-Magnolia volunteer fire companies, according to a notice of investigation from the Fire Marshal’s Office. The fire was brought under control in approximately 20 minutes and no injuries were reported.

The fire originated in a second floor, front bedroom, investigators said. The cause had not been determined as of Monday. According to the notice of investigation, Anna Stewart, a grandmother who lives in the house with Ashley and Rafael Ramon and the couple’s 2-year-old daughter, was alone in the townhouse and in the basement when she heard a strange sound. Upon investigating, she saw water coming through the living room ceiling and smoke coming from the second floor.

It was later determined the sprinkler had contained the fire to the bedroom where it originated, investigators said. “Deputy state fire marshals credit the fire sprinkler for containing the fire and allowing Ms. Stewart to safely escape,” the notice of investigation states. “Fire sprinklers also help firefighters by containing the fire to the area of origin, reducing the chance of injuries and/or death.” Investigators estimate the fire caused $5,000 damage to the dwelling and a $15,000 loss to contents. The family was displaced is being assisted by Red Cross, according to the notice of investigation.

Apartment Building, Residential

Elkridge, MD – Single sprinkler helps prevent apartment balcony fire from spreading inside

Howard County fire department’s Office of the Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of an apartment fire Aug. 21 at Penniman Park in Elkridge. A top-floor apartment fire last Monday afternoon in Elkridge ended after 65 firefighters and paramedics from Howard, Baltimore and Anne Arundel counties extinguished the blaze within 15 minutes.

First responders were called to the 6200 block of Greenfield Road around noon, Howard fire officials said, where they found flames engulfing a fourth-floor balcony at the Penniman Park apartments. The fire extended from the apartment’s exterior into its interior and roof, but was under control by 12:15 p.m. Other apartments were affected by residual smoke; however, fire officials said residents evacuated the building before they arrived. No resident or firefighter injuries were reported.

Fire officials said the sprinkler head between the balcony and apartment’s living area was activated and limited the damage. Howard County fire department’s Office of the Fire Marshal is investigating the origin and cause of Monday’s fire.

Apartment Building, Residential

Gaithersburg, MD – Residential sprinkler system contains kitchen fire in first floor apartment

Firefighters responded to two fires in Gaithersburg Wednesday, one in a townhouse and another in a three-story apartment building, according to rescue officials.

A teenager suffered nonlife-threatening injuries in an apartment fire on McCausland Place, while there were no injuries in the townhouse fire on Autumn Hill Way, said Pete Piringer, Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service spokesman.

The Autumn Hill Way fire broke out in a second-floor bedroom at about 9:30 a.m., according to Piringer. About 60 firefighters arrived on the scene and extinguished the bulk of the fire by 9:45 a.m. Several adjoining townhouses were evacuated and a few people were displaced. The blaze caused about $80,000 in damage.

At about 2:30 p.m., firefighters came to McCausland Place to investigate smoke coming from an apartment building, Piringer said.

They discovered that there had been a kitchen fire on the first floor and that the residential sprinkler system had helped to control the flames. A teen was transported to the hospital. The fire caused about $10,000 in damage.

The cause of both fires is under investigation, according to Piringer.

Apartment Building, Residential

Hagerstown, MD – Sprinkler system activates in overnight apartment fire giving residents opportunity to escape

A Monday morning fire that displaced 46 residents at Cortland Apartments in the North End of Hagerstown started on the balcony of one of the apartments, according to Hagerstown Fire Marshal Doug DeHaven. DeHaven said in a news release Tuesday afternoon that the fire traveled up the exterior of the the building and into an attic area.  Although fire walls in the attic and between the apartments contained most of the damage to one corner of the building, the blaze caused significant damage to apartments Nos. 2, 6 and 10, he said.

An investigation determined that the building had functional sprinkler, fire-alarm and smoke-alarm systems, the release said. The sprinkler system was activated when balcony windows cracked from the heat, allowing the fire to extend into the apartments, DeHaven said.  But the activation of the sprinkler system, along with the fire alarm, gave residents enough time to escape, he said.

Bob Rhodes, the complex’s manager, said that three of the 12 units in the building sustained heavy damage. It is too early to determine whether the structure will be razed or rebuilt because fire and insurance inspectors were still assessing the damage, he said.  All 61 of the residents and pets who were displaced by the fire at the apartments at 12911 Little Elliott Drive have been given places to stay until they find more permanent accommodations.  Korri Faria, disaster program manager for the Red Cross of Western Maryland, said the 46 residents who were displaced by the fire are staying in hotels, or with family or friends.  “We were on scene to make sure everyone has a place to stay for a few days,” she said.

Faria said all of the hotel rooms are being paid for by the Red Cross, which also provided the victims with cards to buy food, clothing and other essentials they might need. The Red Cross also helped to replace medications that were destroyed in the fire, which was reported shortly after 5 a.m.  In addition to the residents, the two-alarm blaze displaced 15 pets.  Crystal Mowery, field service director for the Humane Society of Washington County, said a majority of the pets stayed with their owners, but one cat and one dog were taken to the humane society shortly after the fire.  Another dog was taken there later that day.  “We are housing the animals at no charge until (the victims) find a place for them,” she said.  To her knowledge, Mowery said none of the pets perished in the fire. A single cat escaped, but it has not been accounted found.

Apartment Building, Residential

Jessup, MD – Apartment kitchen fire held in check by sprinkler system

Firefighters were called to an apartment blaze in Jessup Saturday night. A kitchen fire had been reported before 8 p.m. in the 9900 block of Guilford Road.  Officials found the fire had been held in check by the sprinkler system, according to the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services.  By 8:09 p.m., authorities said that the fire was out. Crews were still at the scene removing smoke and water from the sprinkler system.  The fire did not spread beyond the second-story apartment, officials reported.

Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

Elkridge, MD – Arson fire at motel snuffed out by sprinkler system

An Ellicott City man is facing charges in connection with a fire at the Hillside Motel in Elkridge on Wednesday. Dennis Charles Turnbaugh, 26, of the 8300 block of Sunrise Court in Ellicott City, was identified as the suspect in the blaze that broke out around 6:21 p.m., according to police.  Authorities said they were called to the 6300 block of Washington Boulevard for a fire that was snuffed out by the sprinkler system. According to police, the damage was minimal, contained to one room.

When officials investigated the blaze, they determined it had been intentionally set. Turnbaugh was found soon after and charged with first-degree arson, five counts of reckless endangerment and malicious destruction of property, officials reported. He was being held Thursday without bail at the Howard County Detention Center.  Arrests do not indicate convictions.

Primary / Secondary School, School / University

Marriottsville, MD – Morning arson fire at high school extinguished by sprinkler system

Students, faculty and staff at Marriotts Ridge High School were dismissed early Friday morning after a paper towel holder was set on fire and triggered the building’s sprinkler system. Howard schools spokesman John White said the fire was caused by a student and that disciplinary actions will follow, using the school system’s Student Code of Conduct. On Monday, Howard police charged the 16-year-old juvenile, of Ellicott City, with arson, malicious burning and disturbing activities at school.  There was little damage by the fire and no one was injured. Students were allowed to return to the school Friday afternoon to retrieve their belongings.

Everyone at the high school was safely evacuated to nearby Mount View Middle School this morning, as Howard County Fire and Rescue arrived. Classes were dismissed for the day at 10:15 a.m. since smoke was throughout the building, White said. Kristy Gaigalas, a spokeswoman for the fire department, said officials received the call around 7:15 a.m. and found the fire was extinguished by the sprinklers. White said students who drove to school were immediately dismissed, while parents picked up other students at the middle school.  Marriotts Ridge senior Anthony Ellis said he smelled the smoke, which was coming from the men’s bathroom near the art room on the first floor.  “There really wasn’t much of a fire, just smoke,” Ellis said. “We all had to evacuate before school even began.”

Apartment Building, Residential

Ocean City, MD – Fire Marshal credits sprinkler system for saving resident’s life in apartment fire

The Ocean City Fire Marshal’s Office is crediting fire sprinklers for saving the life of an Ocean City woman who just barely escaped a kitchen fire on New Year’s Eve.  Just before 7:30 p.m., firemen were called to the area of 25th Street and Baltimore Avenue, for a building fire.   The woman had been cooking when grease spilled over onto the stove burners, starting a fire that quickly spread.

A single sprinkler head in the kitchen activated and extinguished the fire prior to the arrival of fireman.  The unit suffered limited fire and smoke damage in the kitchen. The adjoining staircase and first floor restaurant area also experienced water damage.  The cause of the fire is classified as accidental.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

St. Charles, MD – Overnight fire at assisted living facility controlled with help from sprinkler system

Deputy State fire Marshals investigated an accidental fire that occurred at the Morningside House of St. Charles four-story assisted living facility at 70 Village Street in Waldorf, Charles County. The property is owned and operated by the Senior Lifestyle Corporation.  The 11:47 p.m. fire activated the smoke detection system and fire sprinkler system allowing occupants of forty apartments on the second and third floors to evacuate without injury. Occupants on the first and fourth floors were safely sheltered in place.  Nearly 50 firefighters from Charles and Prince George’s Counties assisted the Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department at the scene.

The fire was contained to the malfunctioning wall mounted heating and air conditioning appliance inside apartment #214. The damage to the structure and contents was confined to fire and smoke damage to the apartment of origin and water throughout the second floor.  Occupants of the second floor are being temporarily relocated elsewhere in the facility during clean-up.  Damage estimates were limited to $40,000 to the structure and contents. 

Residential fire sprinklers are effectively proven to save lives and reduce the costs associated when an uncontrolled fire develops. Fires occurring in unprotected structures of this type often are the result of significant injuries or worse to occupants along with a high dollar value loss and extended lengths of time for restoration of the building.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Thurmont, MD – Fire at catalog business controlled with assistance from sprinkler system

Frederick County Fire and Rescue responded to a building fire around noon on Saturday on Apples Church Road in Thurmont, Md.  Official said smoke was coming from the top of a building which led neighbors to call 911. Fire officials said that the sprinkler system went on which helped calm down the fire, but fire crews did use fire hoses. Locals said that a catalog business is located in that building and the property owner and businesses owner was on site. No one was harmed in this incident

“Once the smoke gets cleared out then we will go in and make sure that the fire is completely out, there is no areas and the Fire Marshall will do their determination and figure out what caused the fire,” said Battalion Chief, Doug Wallick.

This is an open investigation.