by Geoff Fox
What started as a brush fire on Webb Lane east of Hancock turned into a structure fire that claimed a mobile home on Sunday, November 20.
The call came in shortly after noon Sunday for a field fire threatening a structure. A neighbor discovered the fire.
When first responders from Hancock arrived on scene, they advised approximately one acre was involved with exposure to a trailer and all occupants were accounted for an uninjured.
The fire then moved to the trailer and according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal, it started as a yard around the burn barrel on the property that extended to underneath the residence.
Fire officials declared the fire as accidental with an estimated loss of $10,000. Smoke alarms were present, however they were not functioning.
It took about an hour to get control of the fire.
The Fire Marshal’s Office said the American Red Cross was contacted and would be assisting the resident.
Fire destroys Flintstone barn
A fire in the 14500 block of Black Valley Road in Flintstone destroyed a bar Monday morning, November 21, just before 9 a.m.
According to the Fire Marshal’s Office, the wood frame barn was built in 1860.
A passerby discovered the fire, the Fire Marshal’s Office said.
The fire caused $20,000 damage and was handled by 20 firefighters from Flintstone Volunteer Fire Department.
No injuries were reported and all livestock in the bard escaped.
How and where the fire started is still under investigation, fire officials said in a release.
