2 Fires Damage Liquor Store, Townhouses In Howard County: Officials

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — A box truck became caught on power lines that led into Troy Farms Liquor Friday afternoon, sparking an electrical fire that caused considerable damage. The downed lines arced and ignited the siding on the exterior of the business.

Howard County Fire and EMS tweeted a video from the scene that showed heavy smoke pouring out of the store located at 6161 Meadowridge Road in Elkridge. Crews could not access the source of the fire until BGE could turn off the power due to continuously arching electrical wires. It took more than three hours to reign in the fire.

One firefighter was evaluated for heat exhaustion but was released on the scene. There was extensive damage to the building.

Then on Saturday, crews returned to Elkridge for a house fire in the 6700 block of Ducketts Lane. When they arrived at the scene just before midnight, they found heavy fire burning at the back of a group of townhomes. The fire had spread to three homes and caused extensive damage.

Everyone staying in the townhomes and nearby residents were safely evacuated and no injuries were reported. The Red Cross is assisting the displaced residents.

Both fires are being investigated by the Office of the Fire Marshal.