Fire Causes Major Damage At Retirement Community High Rise In Annapolis: Report

ANNAPOLIS, MD — A Monday blaze caused $300,000 in damage at a retirement community’s high-rise building in Annapolis, the city fire department announced.

Nobody was hurt. Officials do not know how many residents were displaced, if any at all, but the American Red Cross will help anybody who cannot yet return home.

A press release said an occupant discovered the fire around 3:05 a.m. at the BayWoods of Annapolis. The full-service continuing care retirement community serves residents 60 and up, and it's located in the 7100 block of Bay Front Drive. The fire alarm monitoring company called in the blaze at the six-story, mixed-use complex.

First responders said the building representative met them outside and told crews that the fire was on the south wing of the fifth floor, prompting the sprinklers to activate. Firefighters immediately upgraded the call to a high-rise structure fire.

Crews reached the fifth floor and found heavy smoke. Firefighters said they entered the affected unit, extinguished the flames and contained the blaze to the original home.

Some occupants on the fifth floor evacuated to the lobby. The release said others sheltered in place while a team of roughly 50 controlled the fire in about 45 minutes.

The fire started in the patio and atrium area of the affected unit, officials said. The cause is still under investigation.

The Annapolis Fire Department thanked these stations for assisting its response:

• Anne Arundel County Fire Department
• Naval Support Activity Annapolis Fire Department