Middle River Store Fire Forces Indefinite Closure of Marina Shop, Sparks $500K in Damage

A fire early Saturday morning at Gunpowder Falls State Park’s Dundee Creek Marina in Middle River caused an estimated $500,000 in damage and has forced the indefinite closure of the marina’s store. The blaze, discovered shortly after 6 a.m., destroyed the state-owned building’s structure and contents, though no injuries were reported.

According to fire investigators, the fire originated in a garage area of the marina store, sparked by an electrical or mechanical malfunction in a chest freezer. The flames spread quickly, fueled by nearby flammable materials including rags, clothing, and lighter fluid stored on a shelf. The fire’s rapid expansion was further aided by the collapse of the garage doors and the failure of the skylight, allowing oxygen to feed the blaze.

Roughly 40 firefighters from the Baltimore County Fire Department responded to the one-alarm fire and had it under control within 20 minutes. Both an employee and a fisherman witnessed the start of the fire and safely evacuated. The Office of the State Fire Marshal led the investigation, as the incident occurred on state property.

The marina store, operated by the Maryland Park Service, will remain closed indefinitely until repairs can be completed. Visitors to the area should plan for service disruptions and check for updates before heading to the marina. With a half-million dollars in structural and content losses, the incident represents a significant blow to park operations and local recreational services.

Article by multiple contributors, based upon information from the Office of the State Fire Marshal press release.

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