Heat Lamp in Chicken Coop Ruled the Cause of Hurlock Fire

Hurlock, MD - On Monday, November 17, 2025, at approximately 12:41 PM, a two-alarm fire occurred at a residence on Cabin Ridge Road in Hurlock, Maryland. The fire affected a one-story, single-family home and several nearby sheds.

One individual was transported from the scene for treatment of smoke inhalation. The fire displaced two residents. The estimated financial loss is $200,000 for the structure and $100,000 for its contents.

The Hurlock Volunteer Fire Department was the primary responding unit. A total of 75 firefighters responded to the two-alarm blaze and brought it under control in approximately 45 minutes.

The fire was first discovered by a neighbor. Investigators determined the area of origin to be the exterior of a small shed near the home.

The preliminary cause has been ruled accidental, resulting from a heat lamp placed too close to animal bedding inside a chicken coop attached to the shed. All chickens in the coop survived.

At the time of the incident, no one was home. A neighbor entered the house to let the family's dogs out before they were overcome by smoke and heat.

One small, elderly dog that ran from the scene had not been located when investigators cleared the area.