Coals From Grill Cause $285K Glen Burnie House Fire

GLEN BURNIE, MD — A Glen Burnie resident accidentally sparked a $285,000 house fire when he dumped coals from a grill close to the house, according to the Anne Arundel County Fire Department.

Firefighters were called to the 200 block of Benmere Road about 1:35 a.m. Sunday for a fire in the rear of the one-story, single-family dwelling. The lone occupant of the home had escaped before firefighters arrived after a neighbor alerted the resident to the fire.

The fire was brought under control in about 45 minutes by 48 firefighters and was contained mostly to a large addition to the rear of the home.

Members of the Anne Arundel County Fire and Explosives Investigation Unit have determined that this was an accidental fire. The occupant of the home had used a charcoal grill around 5 p.m., and around 11 p.m. he dumped the still-hot coals against the house.

The 23-year-old resident was taken to Baltimore Washington Medical Center with minor injuries. A firefighter was also taken in good condition to Baltimore Washington Medical Center with a medically related complaint.

Photos courtesy of the Anne Arundel County Fire Department