Accidental Fire Causes Minor Damage to Hagerstown Home

A preliminary investigation into a structure fire that occurred late last month in Hagerstown has determined the cause to be accidental, according to the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The incident took place on the evening of August 26th at approximately 11:30 p.m. at a single-family dwelling located at 17815 Oak Ridge Drive in Washington County.

The fire, which was discovered by the occupant, originated from an exterior picnic table. Firefighters from the Volunteer Fire Company of Halfway responded to the scene and were able to bring the blaze under control within ten minutes. A total of 25 firefighters were involved in the response. The dwelling, described as a one-story wood-framed structure, sustained an estimated $5,000 in damages to the structure itself, with an additional $100 in losses to contents. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries or deaths associated with the fire, and no residents were displaced from their homes. The investigation also noted that smoke alarms or fire alarms were not a factor in this incident. No arrests have been made in connection with the fire.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal, an agency within the Department of State Police, is committed to protecting citizens through education, inspection, investigation, and fire protection engineering. Residents seeking more information on fire safety can contact the office by calling 1-800-525-3124, visiting their website at Maryland State Fire Marshal, or engaging with their Facebook page. For those with information regarding arson, an anonymous hotline is available at 1-800-492-7529. 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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