Crime & Safety
HdG School Construction Site Fire Ruled Accidental
The fire marshal determined the cause of the blaze at the Havre de Grace Middle-High School and assessed the damage.
HAVRE DE GRACE, MD — Fire broke out in a storage room at the Havre de Grace Middle-High School building Friday afternoon at the site under construction, according to the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The fire was ruled accidental and caused $20,000 in damage, officials reported, noting heavy smoke and soot damage remained throughout a portion of the building.
Workers at the construction site in the 400 block of Lewis Lane discovered the fire at 1:02 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 27, officials said.
They smelled smoke and found flames in a storage room that had been used for storing trash, according to the fire marshal.
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A site superintendent tried to put out the blaze with two portable fire extinguishers, but the attempt was fruitless, investigators said.
The Susquehanna Hose Company was dispatched, its fire chief reported seeing smoke upon arrival. Once inside, crews said they found fire on the first floor of the structure.
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About 25 firefighters placed the situation under control in 10 minutes, the fire marshal said.
The fire had been suppressed and crews were making sure it had not spread, the Susquehanna Hose Company reported around 1:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27.
Investigators determined discarded smoking materials caused the fire.
While the fire damage was contained to the storage room, officials said the smoke and soot damage were throughout a section of the building.
RELATED:
- Construction Progresses At HdG Middle, High School
- Look At Havre de Grace School Construction Project From New Angle
- Ground Breaks For New Havre de Grace School
INITIAL REPORT: Fire broke out at the new Havre de Grace school building that is under construction Friday afternoon, according to officials. Upon arriving at the new school on Lewis Lane, the fire chief said smoke was visible.
Crews found fire on the first floor of the structure, according to the Susquehanna Hose Company.
The fire had been suppressed and crews were making sure it had not spread, the Susquehanna Hose Company reported around 1:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27.
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