Blaze Burned Homeless Encampment, Fire Marshal Says

Officials said a homeless encampment caught fire on Wednesday in Forest Hill.

Fire broke out in a wooded area off MD 23/East West Highway at approximately 4 p.m. on Wednesday, the Office of the State Fire Marshal reported.

An unattended campfire spread out of control and ignited a makeshift tent for the homeless, according to Senior Deputy State Fire Marshal Oliver Alkire.

After a passerby reported the blaze, the fire marshal said crews from Bel Air and Joppa-Magnolia responded, bringing the fire under control within 10 minutes.

There was approximately $100 in damage, which Alkire said was limited to the tent.

The fire burned a 40-foot radius around the homeless camp, according to the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, which was also responding to multiple other field fires on Wednesday afternoon.

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The cause of the blaze on MD 23 was ruled accidental as the result of open air burning, the fire marshal reported.

The fire marshal advised paying extra attention if burning anything outside.

“Citizens need to use caution when burning outdoors,” Alkire said. ”The expense associated with extinguishment of out-of-control fires can be easily controlled by being attentive and following established guidelines provided by local authorities.”

Photo Credit: Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company.

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