Salisbury, MD - A fire broke out last night at the Red Oak Laundromat, located at 1100 Nanticoke Road, Salisbury, Wicomico County, Maryland, causing significant damage to both the business and its contents.

The fire, which was reported at 8:21 PM, originated from the exhaust system of the commercial clothes dryers. It took 30 firefighters from the Salisbury Fire Department and surrounding agencies approximately 30 minutes to get the fire under control. 

The flames ravaged the one-story commercial building, which houses both a laundromat and a car wash. 

The laundromat incurred an estimated loss of $600,000. The damage to the structure itself accounted for $350,000, while the remaining $250,000 was due to the loss of contents. 

Pertinently, both the laundromat and the connected car wash suffered damage as a result of the fire.

Firefighters on the scene reported the absence of both smoke alarms and fire alarm sprinkler systems, which could have mitigated the destruction. Fortunately, despite the potential risk, there were no reported injuries or deaths. 

Customers inside the laundromat at the time discovered the fire and quickly called 911.

Initial investigations have suggested the fire was accidental, likely caused due to an unspecified failure within the commercial gas dryer exhaust system.

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