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Dry Conditions Lead To Statewide Open-Air Burn Ban In Maryland Due To Wildfire Threats Dry Conditions Lead To Statewide Open-Air Burn Ban In Maryland Due To Wildfire Threats
Dry Conditions Lead To Statewide Open-Air Burn Ban In Maryland Due To Wildfire Threats The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has implemented a statewide ban on open-air burning amid the "extremely dry conditions" that have plagued the region recently. According to officials, "extremely dry conditions persist across the state and have led to an above average number of wildfires statewide, and conditions are not expected to change in the near future." It was enacted on Friday, Nov. 1.  The ban will remain in effect until the Maryland Forest Service determines the state has received enough precipitation to reduce the threat of wildfires statewide, they added. …

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by Zak Failla
Weather
Persistent Dry Conditions, Gusty Winds Creating Elevated Risk Of Fire In DMV Region Persistent Dry Conditions, Gusty Winds Creating Elevated Risk Of Fire In DMV Region
Persistent Dry Conditions, Gusty Winds Creating Elevated Risk Of Fire In DMV Region There will be an elevated risk of fire danger in the DMV region on Saturday due to the continued dry conditions and expected gusty winds, according to the National Weather Service. An alert was issued cautioning that there will be increased fire conditions expected on Oct. 26, with relative humidity levels staying long, with winds hovering between 15 and 20 mph and gusts possibly reaching 30 mph in parts of Maryland and Virginia. The forecasted conditions "will result in the rapid drying of fine fuels like grass, leaves, and small shrubs."  In response to the expected weather, forecas…

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by Zak Failla
Weather
Persistent Dry Conditions, Gusty Winds Creating Elevated Risk Of Fire In DMV Region Persistent Dry Conditions, Gusty Winds Creating Elevated Risk Of Fire In DMV Region
Persistent Dry Conditions, Gusty Winds Creating Elevated Risk Of Fire In DMV Region There will be an elevated risk of fire danger in the DMV region on Thursday due to the continued dry conditions and expected gusty winds, according to the National Weather Service. An alert was issued cautioning that there will be increased fire conditions expected on Oct. 24, with relative humidity levels staying long, with winds hovering between 10 and 15 mph and gusts possibly reaching 25 mph in parts of Maryland and Virginia. The forecasted conditions "will result in the rapid drying of fine fuels."  In response to the expected weather, forecasters have cautions that "residents an…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Sanctuary Undamaged By Smoke, Flames During Maryland Church Blaze: Fire Investigators Sanctuary Undamaged By Smoke, Flames During Maryland Church Blaze: Fire Investigators
Sanctuary Undamaged By Smoke, Flames During Maryland Church Blaze: Fire Investigators Firefighters had to contend with tricky conditions on Monday morning as they battled a blaze that broke out inside a Baltimore County church. New details have been released by investigators as they continue to probe the fire at the St. Paul Praise and Worship Center on Reisterstown Road in Pikesville. Crews were called at around 9:45 a.m. on Oct. 14 to the church, where they were met by flames coming from the first floor that spread to the second story and into the steeple of the building.  WORKING BUIDING FIRE 503 Reisterstown Rd #Pikesville | Crews arrived to fire on the 1st and …

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Improperly Discarded Ashes Spark Bel Air House Blaze, Maryland Fire Marshal Says Improperly Discarded Ashes Spark Bel Air House Blaze, Maryland Fire Marshal Says
Improperly Discarded Ashes Spark Bel Air House Blaze, Maryland Fire Marshal Says Improperly discarded ashes from a bonfire during the unseasonably warm start to fall led to a house fire in Harford County, the Maryland Fire Marshal is cautioning. Nearly two dozen firefighters from the Bel Air Fire Department were called at around 11:15 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5 to the 1600 block of Junius Court when a neighbor reported that the exterior of a home was on fire. First responders were quickly able to knock down the flames in less than a half hour, though it caused an estimated $20,000 in damage to the single-family home.  It was later determined that the fire was accide…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Child Playing With Lighter Sparks Blaze At Harford County Apartment Building: Fire Marshal Child Playing With Lighter Sparks Blaze At Harford County Apartment Building: Fire Marshal
Child Playing With Lighter Sparks Blaze At Harford County Apartment Building: Fire Marshal Things got a little too hot to handle for a child playing with a lighter inside a Harford County apartment that was damaged by fire on Wednesday afternoon, officials say. First responders were called at around 3:15 p.m. on Sept. 25 to the Edgewood Park Apartment complex on Edgewood Road, when a neighbor reported a fire inside one of the units. According to the Maryland Fire Marshal, crews from the Joppa Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company and Aberdeen Proving Grounds FD/EMS, were able to quickly knock down the fire, which was reported in a bedroom where the child was playing with a lighter. It…

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by Zak Failla
News
Owners Admit Fault For Fire At Long Island Rental That Killed Maryland Sisters Owners Admit Fault For Fire At Long Island Rental That Killed Maryland Sisters
Owners Admit Fault For Fire At Long Island Rental That Killed Maryland Sisters A husband and wife from Long Island admitted fault after a fire killed two Maryland sisters staying at their vacation rental. Peter Miller, age 56, pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal negligent homicide, and Pamela Miller, age 55, pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment in Suffolk County Court on Monday, Aug. 26. It came two years after sisters Lindsay Wiener, age 19, and Jillian Wiener, age 21, both of Potomac, Maryland, died in a fire at the couple’s Noyac rental home in August 2022. Earlier Report: Sisters On Vacation Killed In Hamptons House Fire According to prosecutors, …

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by Michael Mashburn
Police & Fire
Man Threatened To Burn Down Maryland Home During Dispute With Landlords: Fire Marshal Man Threatened To Burn Down Maryland Home During Dispute With Landlords: Fire Marshal
Man Threatened To Burn Down Maryland Home During Dispute With Landlords: Fire Marshal A dispute between a landlord and tenant turned fiery and landed one man behind bars in Washington County after he threatened to burn down the home he was renting, according to the Maryland Fire Marshal. Randy Sigler, 65, who was renting a home in Hagerstown, is facing up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine for threatening arson during a dispute with his landlord and her husband. Officials say that shortly after 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 17, members of the Washington County Sheriff's Office responded to a home in the 13600 block of Grandview Drive to investigate a reported dispute between …

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
'Crackling Noise, Glow' On Maryland Porch Alerted Family To Fire, Investigators Say 'Crackling Noise, Glow' On Maryland Porch Alerted Family To Fire, Investigators Say
'Crackling Noise, Glow' On Maryland Porch Alerted Family To Fire, Investigators Say A faulty extension cord is to blame for a Washington County fire that left a family displaced and destroyed a home in Hancock on Sunday afternoon, according to investigators. Four dozen firefighters from the Hancock Volunteer Fire Company responded at around 3 p.m. on July 21, when the occupants of a White Oak Ridge residence reported that a blaze has broken out in their home. According to the Maryland Fire Marshal, one occupant inside the home heard a crackling noise, and observed a glow outside the home, which turned out to be the flames that broke out on the front porch. The occupant wa…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Firefighter Injured, Homes Damaged By Fast-Moving Fire In Maryland Firefighter Injured, Homes Damaged By Fast-Moving Fire In Maryland
Firefighter Injured, Homes Damaged By Fast-Moving Fire In Maryland One firefighter suffered minor injuries battling a three-alarm blaze that damaged several rowhomes in Baltimore on Tuesday morning. Crews were called at around 2:30 a.m. on June 25 to the 3000 block of Hudson Street in Canton, where there was a fast-moving fire that spread to multiple buildings, officials say. Baltimore Fire Department In total, eight homes and four rooftop decks were damaged. The injured firefighter was taken to the hospital for treatment and evaluation by paramedics. No other injuries were reported. Shortly b4 3 a.m @BaltimoreFire responded to the 3000 blk o…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
One Killed By Fast-Moving Maryland House Fire, Officials Say One Killed By Fast-Moving Maryland House Fire, Officials Say
One Killed In Fast-Moving Bel Air House Fire The person pulled from a Harford County home died at the scene of a house fire, according to officials. Late on Tuesday morning on May 14, first responders from the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company and nearby agencies were called to the 100 block of Marshall Drive in Forest Hill, when motorists on the Belair Bypass reported seeing smoke and flames coming from an area home. At 2 p.m., Harford County Fire and EMS officials announced that firefighters searching the home found a person inside who was rescued and ultimately pronounced dead at the scene after being treated. Firefighters arrived wi…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Man Killed In House Blaze May Have Been Trying To Extinguish It: Maryland Fire Marshal Man Killed In House Blaze May Have Been Trying To Extinguish It: Maryland Fire Marshal
Man Killed In House Blaze May Have Been Trying To Extinguish It: Maryland Fire Marshal A 55-year-old man was killed - while possibly trying to extinguish - an attic fire that broke out in a Cecil County home on Friday morning, according to the Maryland Fire Marshal. Jeffrey Scot Jackson has been preliminarily identified by fire investigators as the person who was pulled from a Cooper Street home by members of the Community Fire Company of Rising Sun.  The fire was reported at approximately 4:20 a.m. on April 19.  First responders in Rising Sun and other nearby agencies were called to the one-story home, where they were met by heavy smoke and flames coming from the …

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Two-Alarm Car Fire Tears Through Harford County Garage, Home Two-Alarm Car Fire Tears Through Harford County Garage, Home
Two-Alarm Car Fire Tears Through Harford County Garage, Home A malfunctioning car that had just been parked in the garage of a Harford County home sparked a two-alarm blaze that caused approximately $500,000 in damage and left a family temporarily displaced, according to the Maryland Fire Marshal. First responders were called shortly before 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon, when a fast-moving fire spread from the garage of a two-story home to the rest of the residence on Adelaide Lane in Bel Air. Volunteer Firefighters from @BelAirVolFireCo are on the scene of a house fire in the 500 block of Adelaide Lane in #BelAirMD. A 2nd alarm has been requeste…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Extreme Hoarding Conditions Hinder Firefighters Battling Maryland Blaze: Fire Marshal Extreme Hoarding Conditions Hinder Firefighters Battling Maryland Blaze: Fire Marshal
Extreme Hoarding Conditions Hinder Firefighters Battling Maryland Blaze: Fire Marshal Hoarding conditions made things difficult for fire crews on Sunday afternoon who were called in to battle a blaze that broke out in a Harford County duplex, officials say. Crews from the Susquehanna Hose Company and nearby agencies were called at around 1:30 p.m. on April 7 to Deaver Street in Havre de Grace, where a fire broke out, the homeowner reported. #SHCo & surrounding mutual aid companies are on scene of a house fire in the 100 block of Deaver Street. Please avoid area while crews work to extinguish the blaze. #HavredeGrace #HdG Posted by Susquehanna Hose Company on Sun…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Charging Lithium Ion Battery To Blame For Maryland House Fire, Officials Say Charging Lithium Ion Battery To Blame For Maryland House Fire, Officials Say
Charging Lithium Ion Battery To Blame For Maryland House Fire, Officials Say Another blaze broke out in a Maryland house due to a charging lithium-ion battery, according to the state fire marshal.  A crew of more than two dozen firefighters from the Fallston Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Company and nearby agencies were called shortly after 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning to the 2200 block of Queensbury Drive in Fallston, where the homeowners advised that a fire broke out in a bedroom. Firefighters were quickly able to knock down the flames, officials say, and contained the damage to the one bedroom, though approximately $50,000 in damage. Fallston Volunteer Fir…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Child Credited With Saving Herself, Dog From Harford County Bedroom Blaze Child Credited With Saving Herself, Dog From Harford County Bedroom Blaze
Child Credited With Saving Herself, Dog From Harford County Bedroom Blaze An 11-year-old girl is being credited with getting herself and a dog out of a Harford County home when a fire broke out in her bedroom on Thursday afternoon.  First responders from the Aberdeen Fire Department and nearby agencies were called shortly before 3:15 p.m. on Feb. 8 to a home on Cornell Street, where there was a reported fire inside the child's room following an electrical failure. According to the Maryland Fire Marshal, the girl discovered the fire in her bedroom and was able to call 911. She then got herself and the family's dog out while waiting for the fire department to …

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by Zak Failla
Business
Mass Company Issues Recall On 30K Blankets, Throws Over Burn, Fire Concerns Mass Company Issues Recall On 30K Blankets, Throws Over Burn, Fire Concerns
Mass Company Issues Recall On 30K Blankets, Throws Over Burn, Fire Concerns The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a recall on nearly 30,000 Berkshire Blanket & Home Company heated throws and blankets over issues with overheating that pose fire or burn risks.   The Ware-based company's blankets were sold under its name and the L.L. Bean brand, where they are sold in stores. The CPSC said in its recall notice that they were also sold at Army and Air Force Exchange Service, Amazon.com, Target.com, Macys.com, and QVC.com.  The company has received nine reports of the blankets and throws burning, melting, or overheating. No injur…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Doorbell Camera Alert Helps Pair Escape Maryland House Fire (VIDEO) Doorbell Camera Alert Helps Pair Escape Maryland House Fire (VIDEO)
Doorbell Camera Alert Helps Pair Escape Maryland House Fire (Video) Two people in Carroll County were able to escape a massive fire with an assist from a doorbell camera, officials say. First responders were called shortly after 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 23, to the 5400 block of Mineral Hill Road in Eldersburg, when a fire broke out on the porch of an area home. According to a spokesperson for the Sykesville Freedom District Fire Department, two people were in the house watching TV when a doorbell camera sent them an alert, prompting them to find the fire in the back of the house. UPDATE: Units on scene with a fully involved house. Crews are working fr…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Man In Hotel, Grandmother, Killed In Separate Carroll County Fires Hours Apart, Officials Say Man In Hotel, Grandmother, Killed In Separate Carroll County Fires Hours Apart, Officials Say
Man In Hotel, Grandmother, Killed In Separate Carroll County Fires Hours Apart, Officials Say Maryland Fire Marshal Brian Geraci has issued a call for homeowners to check on their smoke alarms following a pair of fatal fires in Carroll County that took the lives of two people within hours on Monday. It was a busy day for first responders in Carroll County on Monday, Feb. 20, as they were called into action at a Westminster hotel before a family reported a fire at a Taneytown townhouse, both involving failing smoke alarms. The day began shortly after 8:30 a.m., when the Westminster Volunteer Fire Department and neighboring agencies were called to the Boston Inn on Baltimore Bouleva…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Embers From Metal Grinder Cause Massive Two-Alarm Blaze In Maryland Garage: Fire Marshal Embers From Metal Grinder Cause Massive Two-Alarm Blaze In Maryland Garage: Fire Marshal
Embers From Metal Grinder Cause Massive Two-Alarm Blaze In Maryland Garage: Fire Marshal A married couple and their dog were able to escape harm when a two-alarm blaze broke out in a Maryland garage, according to the state fire marshal. In Carroll County, the owner of an Old New Windsor Pike residence in Westminster was working on one of his vehicles shortly before 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21 when he noticed smoke coming from the car. Officials said that at the time the fire was discovered, the man was using a metal grinder on his vehicle, which contributed to sparking the flames when embers from his work spread. According to the fire marshal, the owner attempted to extinguish t…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Sprinkler System, Pawned Electronics Help Lead Investigators In Maryland To Arson Suspect Sprinkler System, Pawned Electronics Help Lead Investigators In Maryland To Arson Suspect
Sprinkler System, Pawned Electronics Help Lead Investigators In Maryland To Arson Suspect Investigators in Maryland are giving an assist to a sprinkler system and pawned big-ticket items that helped lead them to a wanted arson and burglary suspect, the state fire marshal announced. Terrell Anthony Duckett, 26, was charged by depute state fire marshals in St. Mary’s County following a lengthy investigation into a March 2022 Lexington Park fire where multiple items were stolen. On Wednesday, March 21, crews from the Bay District Volunteer Fire Department responded to Valley Court, where there was a reported apartment fire. Upon arrival, officials said that firefighters located th…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Fire Sprinkler, Smoke Alarm Save Infant's Life In Maryland House Fire Fire Sprinkler, Smoke Alarm Save Infant's Life In Maryland House Fire
Fire Sprinkler, Smoke Alarm Save Infant's Life In Maryland House Fire A smoke alarm is being credited by state officials for saving an infant’s life and helping to reduce the damage done to a Maryland home after a fire broke out over the weekend, the fire marshal announced. In Harford County, crews from the Fallston Volunteer Fire Company and nearby agencies responded to a reported fire in the 2000 block of Arden Drive at approximately 10:15 a.m. on Saturday, July 16, according to the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Officials said that the owner of the residence, who was outside, heard a smoke alarm sounding when a kitchen fire broke out, activating a fire…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Accidental Shed Fire Causes Thousands Of Dollars In Damage For Maryland Homeowner Accidental Shed Fire Causes Thousands Of Dollars In Damage For Maryland Homeowner
Accidental Shed Fire Causes Thousands Of Dollars In Damage For Maryland Homeowner An accidental shed fire in Maryland caused thousands of dollars worth of damage for a Cecil County homeowner, according to the state fire marshal. A structure fire was reported shortly after 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5 in the unit block of Colonial Way in Rising Sun, when smoke was found coming from the inside of a shed in the yard of an area home. Six firefighters from the Community Fire Company of Rising Sun responded to the property, and were able to extinguish the fire within minutes, though the shed sustained extensive damage to both the interior and exterior of the structure. In tota…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Homeowner Helps Contain Townhouse Fire In Maryland Homeowner Helps Contain Townhouse Fire In Maryland
Homeowner Helps Contain Townhouse Fire In Maryland A fast-acting Harford County homeowner helped limit the damage to her Maryland home after an electrical fire broke out on the Fourth of July. Shortly before 3 p.m. on Monday, July 4, a Darby Court resident returned home to find smoke billowing out of a second-story bedroom in a two-story townhouse at the end of the 2300 block. More than two dozen members of the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company responded to the residence, and the flames were knocked down within five minutes, according to Fire Chief Bill Snyder. The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental in nature due to an overload…

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by Zak Failla