Car Engine Sparks Blaze At Bel Air Home: Maryland Fire Marshal

BEL AIR, MD — A landscaping company employee mowing the lawn at a Bel Air home spied smoke rolling out of the garage Tuesday around 4:45 p.m. where the owner had just parked his 2010 Acura TSX upon arriving home.

The employee notified the homeowner, Joseph Loehr, who opened the inside door to the garage and found heavy smoke. He left the home, located at 513 Adelaide Lane, opened the garage door and attempted to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher while waiting for firefighters to arrive, but that didn't work, according to the state fire marshal's office.

Upwards of 45 firefighters from the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company arrived and spent an estimated 30 minutes battling the blaze, which the state fire marshal's office has attributed to a mechanical failure within the engine compartment of the 2010 Acura TSX.

The fire damaged another vehicle inside the garage and a third vehicle parked in front of it, as well as the attic and parts of the home. Damage to the home has been estimated at $250,000 and the loss of contents valued at $250,000.

"Investigators credit firefighters' quick response with containing the bulk of the fire to the garage and the attic of the home," the state fire marshal's office said in a report.

Relatives are assisting the family affected by the fire.