Sprinkler Key in Abingdon Townhouse Blaze: Fire Marshal

ABINGDON, MD – An extension cord accidentally sparked a fire Monday morning in Abingdon that displaced four people, according to the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

A smoke alarm and sprinkler system helped minimize the damage and allow the man who found the fire to escape safely, authorities said.

Related: Townhouse Fire in Abingdon Snuffed Out

Two adults and two children lived in the middle-of-the-group townhouse in the 500 block of June Apple Court, the fire marshal reported; all have been displaced.

Home alone Monday morning, the boyfriend of one tenant awoke to the sound of the smoke alarm going off and discovered that there was a fire in the second-floor bedroom at 9:56 a.m., officials said.

A sprinkler contained the blaze to that room, according to the fire marshal.

Approximately 20 firefighters responded and brought the fire under control within 10 minutes, officials reported.

As a result of the blaze, the fire marshal said there was $35,000 in damage—approximately $25,000 in structural damage and $10,000 worth of items inside the home were lost as well.

Photo Credit: Abingdon Fire Company EMT C. Hawkins