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Two Dogs Dead, One Missing From Fast-Moving Two-Alarm Maryland House Fire

Two dogs were killed and a third is unaccounted for after ashes from a wood stove that were improperly stored inside a plastic continue sparked a rapidly moving blaze, the Maryland State Fire Marshal announced.

A plastic container used to store used ash from a wood stove was ignited by hot embers which then spread to a wooden fence.

A plastic container used to store used ash from a wood stove was ignited by hot embers which then spread to a wooden fence.

 Photo Credit: Cambridge Rescue Fire Company
A plastic container used to store used ash from a wood stove was ignited by hot embers which then spread to a wooden fence.

A plastic container used to store used ash from a wood stove was ignited by hot embers which then spread to a wooden fence.

 Photo Credit: Office of The State Fire Marshal
A plastic container used to store used ash from a wood stove was ignited by hot embers which then spread to a wooden fence.

A plastic container used to store used ash from a wood stove was ignited by hot embers which then spread to a wooden fence.

 Photo Credit: Office of The State Fire Marshal
A plastic container used to store used ash from a wood stove was ignited by hot embers which then spread to a wooden fence.

A plastic container used to store used ash from a wood stove was ignited by hot embers which then spread to a wooden fence.

 Photo Credit: Cambridge Rescue Fire Company
Zak Failla
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On Wednesday, Dec. 21, members of the Cambridge Rescue Fire Company were called to an Algonquin Road home in Cambridge, when a neighbor reported a fire that had spread from hot embers to a fence, and then to the residence.

It took a team of 30 firefighters approximately 45 minutes to get the two-alarm fire under control, but the fire marshal says it cost an estimated $300,000 ($200,000 to the structure, $100,000 to its contents) in damage for the homeowner.

Officials say that upon arrival, units found the fire showing throughout the single-family home, and a second alarm was requested to bring in additional mutual aid companies for assistance.

The investigation into the fire determined that it was accidental in nature and caused when the plastic container used to store ash from the wood stove was ignited by hot embers that spread to the fence.

Due to the proximity of the fence to the home, the flames quickly spread to the house.

No injuries were reported, but two dogs died and a third is on the loose after being spooked by the blaze.

State Fire Marshal Brian Geraci said that he "reminds Marylanders not to use paper bags, plastic containers or cardboard boxes to store ash from a wood stove or fireplace.” 

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