Fire Near Quiet Waters Park Investigated As Arson: Officials

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Officials say a vacant home caught fire just outside Quiet Waters Park on Friday afternoon. Investigators ruled the Annapolis blaze an act of arson, according to an incident report.

The Anne Arundel County Fire Department responded to the scene, located in the 600 block of Forest Hill Drive, around 1:30 p.m. Crews found heavy flames that originated in the basement and extended to the first floor and attic of the residence, the report notes.

Anne Arundel County Recreation and Parks spotted the fire and dialed 911. They told responders that two children were unaccounted for and may still be inside.

Firefighters searched the home and found no victims. Crews later learned that the children were safe off-site.

The call had other complications, however. The home, which is part of Quiet Waters Retreat, sits about 1,500 feet from the road with no driveway and no public water. That distance meant that only one fire truck could drive to the blaze, forcing firefighters to carry their ladders and power tools from the roadside.

Anne Arundel County requested assistance from the Annapolis Fire Department, the Naval Support Activity Annapolis Fire Department and the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department. The team of 76 firefighters controlled the scene in about an hour and half and spent additional time extinguishing the remaining embers and hot spots.

It is unclear whether the home had smoke alarms or sprinklers. Officials do not have an estimate for the total damage toll.

The Fire and Explosives Investigation Unit is still investigating the blaze. They do not yet know the cause of the fire.

The map below shows the area where officials say the fire happened.

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