Owings, MD – State investigators reported a discarded cigarette sparked a fire that heavily damaged a three-story, wood-framed commercial building in Calvert County Sunday afternoon, June 12. Over 70 firefighters from around the region responded to the three-alarm blaze at the Owings Business Center near the Route 4 Chaneyville Road intersection. A passerby discovered the fire around 2:30 p.m.
No injuries were reported.
The Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office reported the blaze originated within outside vegetation along the front of the building.
“The investigation revealed that the fire was first detected along the outside of the front wall before the windy conditions helped it spread to the vinyl siding,” a fire marshal’s office release stated. “Once the fire reached the attic soffit, it gained access to the attic and spread into the structure.”
It took firefighters two-and-a-half hours to bring the fire under control.
The building housed several businesses, including Garrett Music Academy and a doctor’s office. The building did not have a sprinkler system. Damage to the structure and contents is estimated at $350,000.
Owings, MD – A commercial building in Calvert County was damaged Sunday afternoon, June 12 by a fire that produced heavy smoke, prompting authorities to shut down a portion of Route 4. The damaged building is located at 8100 Southern Maryland Boulevard (Route 4) and Chaneyville Road in Owings. The blaze was initially reported around 2 p.m.
Several area fire companies dispatched crews to the scene. Officials from the Prince Frederick Volunteer Fire Department reported firefighters attempting to battle the blaze internally were forced to evacuate the structure due to concerns the building might collapse. High winds also hampered the firefighters’ efforts.
There have been no injuries reported as a result of the fire.
The Calvert County Sheriff’s Office initially urged motorists to use caution on Route 4 in the area of Chaneyville Road but shortly before 3 p.m. began diverting southbound Route 4 traffic onto Ward Road in Dunkirk. Nearly six hours later Route 4 from Briscoes Turn Road to Mount Harmony Road was fully reopened.
This is the second major commercial building fire on Route 4 in Owings this year. Back in January a motor vehicle crashed into a strip mall a short distance from where the June 12 fire occurred, sparking a major blaze. That structure is currently being rebuilt. Damage estimates for the latest fire are still being determined.
UPDATE 2:53 pm – Southbound traffic is now being diverted onto Ward Road as units continue to actively work on the working fire.
Owings, MD (2:21 pm) – A building fire has been reported around the 8100 block of Southern Maryland Boulevard in Owings, Maryland. The fire is located at a doctor’s office adjacent to a library. There is currently low visibility in the area due to heavy smoke.
