by Geoff Fox
The Maryland State Fire Marshal recently investigated fires in Hancock and Flintstone causing a total of $60,000 in damage.
The first fire occurred just before 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 22, on Sable Run Road in Hancock.
According to fire officials, the owner was charging a lithium battery in the garage and briefly left the residence.
When the owner returned home, they were alerted to smoke detectors activating inside the residence.
Upon investigation, they discovered the battery was on fire and had ignited nearby combustible items.
The Fire Marshal said the owners were able to extinguish the fire prior to the arrival of Hancock Volunteer Fire Company firefighters.
The fire did an estimated $40,000 in damages, the Fire Marshal said.
The second fire occurred just after 6 a.m. on Monday, November 24, on Green Ridge Road in Flintstone.
According to the Fire Marshal’s Office, the resident had lit a fire in a homemade wood stove late night before while working in his shop.
A passerby alerted him to the shop being on fire the following morning and when firefighters arrived, a small building attached to a chicken coop had been consumed.
The Fire Marshal said the owner was able to evacuate several cats and chickens with no loss of animal life.
The fire caused an estimated $20,000 in damages and was out by the time firefighters from Flintstone Volunteer Fire Company had arrived.
Both fires were deemed accidental and caused no injuries.
