Embers From Wood Stove Cause $100K Joppa House Fire

JOPPA, MD — Two adults have been displaced after fire officials say a wood stove caught a wall space on fire early Monday morning.

The Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company received the call for help around 4:43 a.m. for a home located in the 800 block of Philadelphia Road in Joppa.

An estimated 40 firefighters arrived at the scene and spent 20 minutes gaining control of the fire at the one-story single-family home.

According to the Maryland State Office of the Fire Marshal, two adults living in the home, which was located behind the main house at the same address, smelled smoke, saw smoke coming from the wall and then the smoke alarm activated. They were able to escape and call 911.

The fire damaged the home's rear wall around the chimney and spread to the attic. The state fire marshal has ruled the fire accidental due to a cracked chimney on the wood stove, which allowed embers to ignite the wall space.

Extensive smoke, soot and water damage was reported through the main floor of the home, causing an estimated combined $100,000 in damage to the home's structure and contents.