Seeing Fire, Passerby Knocked On Door In Joppa: Fire Marshal

JOPPA, MD — A house fire in Joppa Thursday afternoon caused $16,000 in damage, according to the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

A passerby reported the fire at 2:54 p.m. in the 300 block of Breslin Road.

The blaze started outside the home in the front porch/parking area due to discarded smoking material, according to the fire marshal. It was ruled accidental.

The homeowner's brother, who lived in the residence, was home alone at the time and learned of the fire when a passerby knocked on his door, officials said; because the blaze began outside, authorities reported the smoke alarm inside the home did not go off.

Crews from Joppa-Magnolia, APG, White Marsh and Kingsville responded to the incident and reportedly had the fire under control within five minutes.

There was $15,000 in structural damage, the fire marshal reported, while $1,000 worth of items inside the home were also lost.

Authorities credited firefighters with helping to minimize damage.

"Due to the quick response of the fire department, the fire was contained to the exterior of the home," the fire marshal said in a statement, "allowing the occupants to return and remain in their home."

Photo Credit: Office of the State Fire Marshal.