Juvenile-Started Fire Quickly Contained in Parsonsburg, MD Residence

A mattress fire caused by a child playing with matches prompted a response from the Parsonsburg Volunteer Fire Department early Tuesday morning, but no injuries or structural damage were reported. The incident occurred around 7:38 a.m. in the 7000 block of Jones Hastings Road and was contained by the time firefighters arrived.

The fire originated in a bedroom and was traced to a juvenile occupant who had been playing with matches. An adult resident discovered the fire shortly after it began and was able to extinguish the flames before emergency personnel reached the scene. Although no injuries occurred, the incident resulted in approximately $200 in content loss, limited to the damaged box spring mattress.

There were no smoke detectors or fire alarm systems installed in the residence at the time of the incident. The Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal installed a smoke alarm following their on-site investigation to enhance safety in the future. The property’s owner, Wilmore Lewis, was present during the fire, which required a single-alarm response from four firefighters.

Officials classified the blaze as accidental. The rapid response and intervention by the adult occupant likely prevented the fire from spreading further, and the quick containment helped avoid greater property loss or injury. No arrests were made in connection to the incident.

Article by multiple RFHC contributors, based upon information from the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal

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