Halfway Responds On 10-8 Box To Assist On Structure Fire

Fire that destroyed Robinwood area townhome Tuesday started in garage, fire marshal says
Julie E. Greene The Herald-Mail

A fire that destroyed a townhome off Robinwood Drive on Tuesday afternoon started in the attached garage, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office no injuries were reported in the blaze in the 11100 block of Jade Court. Washington County 911 received multiple calls from passersby at 3:47 p.m., but the fire marshal's office said a resident first discovered the fire. A smoke detector sounding alerted the resident, who found the garage aflame, the fire marshal's office said in a news release. The flames quickly spread. Damage was estimated at $600,000, according to the news release. The residence had a sprinkler system, but the garage did not. More than 60 firefighters responded to douse the flames, said Funkstown Fire Chief Jerry Keplinger.

Flames were seen shooting from the front and left side of the townhome, which was the end unit of four, when firefighters arrived, Keplinger said. The fire went up into the attic. Around 5 p.m., the roof of the smoldering structure was completely missing. Charred framing jutted out from what had been the second floor of the building while firefighters in the burned out home doused hotspots. The fire was brought under control in about 20 minutes, Keplinger said. The neighboring townhome suffered water and smoke damage. The cause of the fire is being investigated by the state fire marshal's office, Keplinger said.

Robinwood Drive was closed from Professional Boulevard to Mount Aetna Road, but was expected to reopen after 5 p.m., Keplinger said. In addition to Funkstown, firefighters responded from Hagerstown, Boonsboro, Halfway, Mount Aetna, Smithsburg, Sharpsburg, Leitersburg, Long Meadow and the Washington County Division of Emergency Services.