Forest Hill Blaze Caused $300K in Damage, Dog Perished: Fire Marshal

FOREST HILL, MD — Firefighters battled a one-alarm blaze near Forest Hill Thursday at a residence where a dog reportedly perished. Smoke was visible for miles around the house; officials said windy condition contributed to the fire's spread.

At 12:30 p.m., crews responded to the house fire in the 1200 block of Walters Mill Road, according to Rich Gardiner, spokesman for the Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association.

Firefighters from Bel Air, Darlington, Fallston, Whiteford and Delta-Cardiff (Pennsylvania) battled the one-alarm fire. As they approached, crews reported seeing smoke from miles out, he said.

A dog died in the blaze and no other injuries were reported, according to Gardiner. He said the fire was declared under control at 1 p.m.

The owner of the home had called 911 after the smoke alarm went off at 12:29 p.m., and she was able to get out of the house, according to the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

The fire marshal determined the blaze began in the kitchen but said Thursday evening that what caused it was under investigation.

High winds contributed to the rapid spread of the flames, the fire marshal reported. The region was under a wind advisory until 7 p.m.

Officials said the house was considered a total loss, with $250,000 in structural damage and $50,000 worth of items lost inside the home.

According to Gardiner, firefighters from the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company cleared the scene at 3 p.m.

Photo courtesy of John Gallagher, Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company.