Local Fire Investigations

[Editor]

Date: 3/6/17

Time: 2:30 a.m.

Location / Address: 15385 Matthews Manor Road, Newburg, Charles County, Maryland

Type of Incident: Fire

Description of Structure / Property: Single story wood framed house

Owner / Occupants: David Garrett and Rebecca Wirth

Injuries or Deaths: None

Estimated $ Loss: Structure: $ 100.00 Contents: $ 0

Smoke Alarm Status: Present

Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status: N/A

Arrests(s): None

Primary Responding Fire Department: Newburg Volunteer Fire Department

# of Alarms: # 1 Of Firefighters: 10

Time to Control: Out on arrival.

Discovered By: Occupant

Area of Origin: Exterior rear of the house

Preliminary Cause: Incendiary

Additional Information: Two fires were intentionally set on the exterior of the home. The fires were contained by the occupants and neighbors before causing extensive damage to the home. Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Office of the State Fire Marshal, Southern Regional Office, at 443-550-6833.

 

[Editor]

Date: 3/5/17

Time: 9:24 p.m.

Location / Address: 21036 Great Mills Road, Lexington Park, St. Mary's County, Maryland

Type of Incident: Fire

Description of Structure / Property: 5' x 5' Dumpster

Owner / Occupants: Stop & Shop Convenience Store

Injuries or Deaths: None

Estimated $ Loss: Structure: $ 100.00 Contents: $ 0

Smoke Alarm Status: N/A

Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status: N/A

Arrests(s): None

Primary Responding Fire Department: Bay District Volunteer Fire Department

# of Alarms: 1 # Of Firefighters: 5

Time to Control: 5 minutes

Discovered By: Neighbors

Area of Origin: Interior of Dumpster

Preliminary Cause: Incendiary

Additional Information: Around 9:20 p.m. neighbors to the Stop & Shop were alerted to the dumpster fire after hearing "booms". This is the 3rd time within a close time frame that this same dumpster has been set on fire. Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Office of the State Fire Marshal, Southern Regional Office, at 443-550-6832.

 

[Editor]

Date: 3/5/17

Time: 11:09 p.m.

Location / Address: 26865 Westfield Lane, Mechanicsville, St. Mary's County, Maryland

Type of Incident: Fire

Description of Structure / Property: 60' x 80' Auto Shop

Owner / Occupants: Joe Lathrum

Injuries or Deaths: None

Estimated $ Loss: Structure: $ 60,000.00 Contents: $ 40,000.00

Smoke Alarm Status: Present - unknown if operating

Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status: None

Arrests(s): None

Primary Responding Fire Department: Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department

# of Alarms: 1 # Of Firefighters: 35

Time to Control: 40 minutes

Discovered By: Passer-By

Area of Origin: Interior of Workshop

Preliminary Cause: Accidental - Wood Stove

Additional Information: During the course of the investigation, it was found that a wood stove had been left burning, unattended, inside the workshop.

 

[Editor]

Date: March 5, 2017

Time: 3:27 pm

Location / Address: 15929 Prince Frederick Road, Hughesville, Charles County, Maryland

Type of Incident: Burn Injury

Description of Structure / Property: Single family dwelling

Owner / Occupants: Angus Douglas

Injuries or Deaths: Ms. Douglas received burns to 55% of her upper body

Estimated $ Loss: Structure: $ 0 Contents: $ 0

Smoke Alarm Status: N/A

Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status: N/A

Arrests(s): N/A

Primary Responding Fire Department: Hughsville VFD and RS

# of Alarms: 1 # Of Firefighters: 5

Time to Control: 10 minutes

Discovered By: Daughter of the victim

Area of Origin: Burn barrel

Preliminary Cause: Accidental - using an ignitable liquid in burn barrel

Additional Information: The victim was using gasoline to douse ordinary combustibles in a burn barrel. When she ignited the barrel, a violent ignition occurred causing the injuries. She was treated at the scene and flown to Medstar Washington Hospital where she remains in critical condition.

 

[Editor]

Date: 3/8/17

Time: 9:08 a.m.

Location / Address: 4413 Quillen Circle, Waldorf, Charles County, Maryland

Type of Incident: Fire

Description of Structure / Property: 2 story single family home

Owner / Occupants: Janita & Lawrence Jones

Injuries or Deaths: None

Estimated $ Loss: Structure: $ 15,000.00 Contents: $ 5,000.00

Smoke Alarm Status: Present - Activated

Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status: N/A

Arrests(s): None

Primary Responding Fire Department: Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department

# of Alarms: 1 # Of Firefighters: 52

Time to Control: 15 minutes

Discovered By: Family member

Area of Origin: Living Room Closet

Preliminary Cause: Incendiary

Additional Information: Investigation revealed that a fire had been set inside the living room closet. The investigation is continuing.