2 Fires in Columbia Reported Sunday Night: HoCo Fire and Rescue

COLUMBIA, MD — Two fires were reported in Columbia Sunday night, prompting a safety reminder from Howard County fire and rescue officials.

At approximately 7:30 p.m., firefighters said they were handling a call on Rocksparkle Row in Oakland Mills.

The family had evacuated before crews arrived at the residence, where crews found fire in the attic and chimney. By 9:30 p.m., crews said they were clearing the scene.

The Oakland Mills blaze was the second reported fire that crews responded to in Columbia in a span of a few hours on Sunday.

Just before 5 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to a possible apartment fire in King's Contrivance.

That incident was traced to a malfunctioning heating system.

"Cold snap taking its toll on heating systems," the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services said in a statement Sunday evening. "Be safe, check smoke alarms before going to bed!"

Fire and rescue officials reportedly responded to multiple calls for service due to heating systems over the weekend.

Photo Credit: Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services.