Chestertown Fire Displaces Five, Injures One

Kent County, MD - On September 6, 2026, at approximately 3:40 p.m., the Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company responded to a structure fire in the 300 block of Cannon Street in Chestertown, Kent County, Maryland.

The building involved is a two-story property with a business on the ground floor and apartments above. A neighbor noticed the fire and called it in.

The fire started outside the building, near a staircase that leads up to one of the apartments. Investigators believe unattended frying in that area caused the flames to start. The cause has been ruled accidental.

One person was hurt while trying to escape from the second floor of the building.

That person was taken to a local hospital to be treated for their injuries. No further details on their condition have been released.

Five people in total were displaced by the fire. Along with the residents of the apartment where the fire started, two other units on Cannon Street were also affected and their occupants had to leave their homes. It is not yet known how long they will be out of their residences.

The fire grew large enough that a second alarm was called in. About 40 firefighters responded to help bring the flames under control. It took crews one hour and 57 minutes to get the fire fully under control.

Smoke alarms were present in the building and they did go off during the fire. Officials say the structure itself sustained about $350,000 in damage. Contents inside the building, like furniture and personal belongings, added another $250,000 in estimated losses.

Fires that start outside near stairways can spread quickly into the rest of a building.

This is a reminder for anyone frying food outdoors to stay nearby and never leave the stove or fryer unattended, even for a few minutes. Working smoke alarms, like the ones in this building, can make a real difference by giving people extra time to get out safely.