DELMAR HOUSE FIRE UNDER INVESTIGATION BY STATE FIRE MARSHALS OFFICE
Delmar, MD-In the overnight hours of April 8, 2024, a fire ravaged a two-story, single-family dwelling at 904 East State Street, Delmar, in Wicomico County, Maryland.
According to local residents, the home was vacant and had not been inhabited for nearly two decades.
The blaze was discovered by a quick-thinking neighbor who called the local authorities. Delmar Volunteer Fire Department was the primary responder, dispatching a force of 32 firefighters in two alarms from neighboring fire departments, to include Delmar Fire Dept, Salisbury Fire Dept, Hebron Volunteer Fire Dept (Station 5), Laurel Fire Co., Blades Vol. Fire Co. (Station 71), Parsonsburg Fire Company (Station 6) and Fruitland Volunteer Fire Dept (Station 3).
Firefighters went a defensive attack approximately 30 mins after arrival and remained defensive until approximately 5:30 am due to server hoarding conditions and deterioration of the structure.
Despite the considerable challenge, they managed to bring the fire under control in approximately two and a half hours.
Thankfully, no injuries or deaths were reported since the structure was empty during the fire. The damage was extensive, with an estimated loss of $75,000 for the structure and $25,000 worth of contents.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The first story of the house is determined to be the area of origin of the fire.
This incident is a stark reminder of the importance of regular property maintenance, even for vacant structures, to prevent such devastating events.
According to local residents, the home was vacant and had not been inhabited for nearly two decades.
The blaze was discovered by a quick-thinking neighbor who called the local authorities. Delmar Volunteer Fire Department was the primary responder, dispatching a force of 32 firefighters in two alarms from neighboring fire departments, to include Delmar Fire Dept, Salisbury Fire Dept, Hebron Volunteer Fire Dept (Station 5), Laurel Fire Co., Blades Vol. Fire Co. (Station 71), Parsonsburg Fire Company (Station 6) and Fruitland Volunteer Fire Dept (Station 3).
Firefighters went a defensive attack approximately 30 mins after arrival and remained defensive until approximately 5:30 am due to server hoarding conditions and deterioration of the structure.
Despite the considerable challenge, they managed to bring the fire under control in approximately two and a half hours.
Thankfully, no injuries or deaths were reported since the structure was empty during the fire. The damage was extensive, with an estimated loss of $75,000 for the structure and $25,000 worth of contents.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The first story of the house is determined to be the area of origin of the fire.
This incident is a stark reminder of the importance of regular property maintenance, even for vacant structures, to prevent such devastating events.
