Fire At Vacant Joppa House Under Investigation

JOPPA, MD — Fire broke out at a vacant townhouse early Thursday morning in Joppa, and authorities are still working to determine what caused it.

A neighbor discovered the blaze in the 300 block of Sweet Briar Court at 12:32 a.m., the Office of the State Fire Marshal reported. Approximately 25 firefighters reportedly responded and brought the situation under control within a half hour.

The blaze began in the first-floor kitchen of the vacant, two-story, end-of-group townhouse, the fire marshal said. It was unclear how it started, and the cause was under investigation.

When crews arrived, there was fire showing from the house, according to Joppa-Magnolia, whose crew was assisted in the response by firefighters from APG, Kingsville, White Marsh and Abingdon. Personnel cleared the scene at 3:16 a.m.

There were smoke alarms and sprinklers at the residence; however, officials said neither went off.

According to the fire marshal, there was $25,000 in structural damage.

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