Jarrettsville Fire Door Helped Contain Garage Blaze: Fire Marshal

JARRETTSVILLE, MD — When fire broke out this week in a Jarrettsville garage attached to a home, authorities credited a door required by code in helping to prevent the blaze from extending further. The fire marshal ruled the blaze accidental and said nobody was injured.

The homeowner in the 2330 block of Northcliff Drive discovered the fire at 11:44 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 13, according to the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

When firefighters arrived, they found smoke showing from a two-story home.

Officials said about 20 firefighters responded and brought the blaze under control in 20 minutes.

Crews from the Jarrettsville Volunteer Fire Company were assisted by firefighters from Bel Air, Fallston, Hereford and Jacksonsville, the Fallston Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Company reported.

Investigators said that the blaze started in the garage and was caused by fireplace ashes that were not disposed of properly.

The Maryland fire marshal offered this tip for getting rid of ashes: "When disposing of cooled ashes, do not use paper or plastic containers to remove them. Instead, use a metal container. Ashes will insulate hot embers long after the fire is considered out."

As a result of the blaze, the fire marshal said there was $5,000 in structural damage, and $5,000 worth of items inside the garage were lost as well.

Firefighters credited a steel door with helping to minimize the damage.

"The installation and proper use of a code-required steel fire door separating the attached garage from the living space of the dwelling greatly reduced the amount of damage incurred, by limiting fire spread and helping to contain the fire to the garage..." according to a statement from the Fallston Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Company.

Main photos from the fire, showing the door, by the Jarrettsville Volunteer Fire Company. Inline image of the home's exterior is courtesy of the Office of the State Fire Marshal.