Generator Sparked Vale Road Fire: Officials

BEL AIR, MD — Authorities said a shed fire on Vale Road this weekend spread to the house on the property, causing minor damage. The blaze was ruled accidental, according to the Office of the State Fire Marshal, which reported the residents were receiving disaster assistance following the fire.

The owner of the home in the 800 block of Vale Road and a passerby discovered the fire at 10:34 p.m. on Friday and notified authorities. Approximately 20 firefighters responded, officials said.

Crews found a shed ablaze that was up against the residence, according to Rich Gardiner of the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company.

The 4-by-8-foot wood frame shed was built to contain a housing generator, officials said.

Firefighters from Bel Air, Fallston and Abingdon brought the blaze under control in about 10 minutes, Gardiner said.

There was minor damage to the exterior of the home, officials said.

The residents were being helped by Harford County Disaster Assistance because of the damage and due to the fact that the electricity was out, the fire marshal reported.

More than 30,000 people in Harford County had power outages after Friday's nor'easter whipped through the region with wind gusts above 60 mph.

Four adults and two small children were impacted at the home on Vale Road, Gardiner said.

The fire marshal estimated there was $25,000 in damage as a result of the blaze: $20,000 was structural, while $5,000 worth of items inside the shed were lost.

The fire was ruled accidental, due to a generator igniting combustible items inside the shed, according to the fire marshal.

Photo of the March 2 fire on Vale Road courtesy of John Gallagher of the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company.