2-Alarm Building Fire In Bel Air Caused $200K In Damage: Official

BEL AIR, MD — A two-alarm building fire broke out early Thursday morning in Bel Air, according to officials. There was $200,000 in damage as a result of the blaze, the Office of the State Fire Marshal reported.

At 12:35 a.m., a passerby reported the fire in the 700 block of Bel Air Road at HECO Plastics, also known as Harford Engineering Company Plastics.

The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company responded to the fire at the commercial building, which houses multiple tenants, according to the fire marshal. Crews encountered smoke and flames coming from the roof.

At 1:03 a.m., the Abingdon Fire Company reported it was on the way to assist Bel Air firefighters. A minute later, the Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company reported its crew was dispatched to help as well.

Officials said that firefighters were able to contain the fire to HECO Plastics, bringing it under control in an hour. It was contained with 45 minutes of the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company's arrival, according to Rich Gardiner of the fire company.

The blaze originated inside the office area of the building, the fire marshal reported. The cause remains under investigation.

There was $200,000 in damage, according to authorities – $50,000 was structural, while there were $150,000 items inside that were lost as well.

According to the fire marshal, nobody was injured in the blaze.

Main photo is by John Gallagher, BAVFC. Photos from the Oct. 25 fire on Belair Road courtesy of the Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company.

Image via Shutterstock.