$105K In Damage Estimated After Accidental Whiteford House Fire

WHITEFORD, MD — The two-alarm fire that broke out Wednesday morning at a home under renovation in Whiteford has been ruled accidental. The Office of the State Fire Marshal said it started in a hallway when rags spontaneously combusted.

A neighbor discovered the fire in the 1600 block of Chestnut Street at 9:24 a.m. on Wednesday, June 19, the fire marshal reported.

About 70 firefighters responded to the call, led by the Whiteford Volunteer Fire Company.

Several crews from Bel Air responded to the scene around 9:45 a.m., officials said. The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company reported that its auxiliary, two chiefs, one tower and an engine assisted.

It took approximately one hour to control the fire, according to the fire marshal.

There was $100,000 in structural damage, and $5,000 worth of items inside the residence were also lost, officials said.