Fire Damages Post Office In Riviera Beach

RIVIERA BEACH, MD — Local and state investigators are working to determine what caused a fire early Thursday at the Riviera Beach Post Office, 8489 Rugby Road. A passerby called 911 to report smoke was coming from the front door of the one-story building about 6 a.m., according to Anne Arundel County Fire Department officials.

When they arrived firefighters saw smoke coming from the front of the building, as well as from the chimney area near the rear of the post office. Firefighters forced entry into the building and extinguished a smoldering fire in one room. Heavy smoke was reported throughout the building.

No damage estimate has been determined and authorities don't know if smoke alarms were present and working.

There were no injuries reported.

The fire is under investigation jointly by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Postal Inspection Service and Anne Arundel County Fire and Explosives Investigation Unit.

Postal officials have not said how operations at the Post Office will be affected.