Apartment Fire Displaces Eight, Injures Two in Hagerstown

A fire at a multi-family residential building on South Prospect Street in Hagerstown has resulted in injuries to two civilians and left eight residents displaced, according to a notice from the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The blaze, which occurred early on March 13, 2026, required significant firefighting resources and caused substantial property damage.

The incident began around 12:52 a.m. at 145 S. Prospect Street, a three-story apartment complex. Occupants discovered the fire and alerted authorities. Responding to a second alarm, approximately 67 firefighters from the Hagerstown City Fire Department worked for over an hour to bring the flames under control. The fire was declared under control after 1 hour and 20 minutes. The origin of the fire has been preliminarily determined to be accidental, stemming from an electrical malfunction in a ceiling fan located in the living room area.

The fire caused an estimated $250,000 in damage to the structure and an additional $50,000 in damage to personal belongings. Smoke alarms were present and functioned to alert residents to the danger. The building did not have a fire alarm or sprinkler system in place. Fortunately, no arrests have been made in connection with the incident.

The American Red Cross is currently providing assistance to the eight individuals who have been displaced by the fire, helping them to secure temporary housing and essential supplies. Residents who have been affected by this incident should contact the American Red Cross for support services.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal, an agency within the Department of State Police, is committed to safeguarding citizens from fire and explosion hazards through education, inspection, investigation, and fire protection engineering. For fire safety information or to report suspicious fire activity, the public can call 1-800-525-3124 or visit the Maryland State Fire Marshal website. The Western Regional Office of the State Fire Marshal can be reached at 301-766-3888.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Office of the State Fire Marshal

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