Hurlock Man Seriously Burned When Burn Pile Spreads

Hurlock, MD - On October 22, 2026, at approximately 6:00 PM, the Hurlock Volunteer Fire Company responded to the 4300 block of Osborne Road, Hurlock, MD, for an outside fire with a person hurt.

A man had been burning trash and brush on the property when the flames got away from him. The fire moved into the grass nearby and reached three vehicles.

A person passing by saw the fire and reported it. Twenty firefighters came out for the call, which stayed at one alarm.

The man, described as an older adult, was badly burned. The Maryland State Police Aviation Command Trooper 4 flew him to a burn center in the Baltimore area to be treated for serious burns.

Crews had the fire under control in about 15 minutes. By then, it had burned a patch of grass about 40 feet long and 20 feet wide.

No buildings were damaged. The loss to the vehicles and other property is estimated at $30,000.

Investigators say the fire started at an outside burn pile. Their early finding is that it was an accident, caused when the controlled burn spread to the grass and vehicles without anyone meaning for it to.

Fall is a busy time for burning leaves, brush and yard waste. Fire safety officials advise keeping burn piles small and far away from cars, sheds and homes.

It is also smart to keep a hose or water close by and never leave a fire alone. Checking local burn rules and the wind before you light anything can help stop a small fire from turning into a big one.