Joe's Grog House Fire Leaves $20K in Damage: Fire Marshal

A fire at Joe’s Grog House in Port Deposit Thursday morning caused $20,000 in damage to the historic Main Street establishment, according to the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

The fire began when an electrical failure occurred in the wall of the bar at 26 South Main Street, the fire marshal reported.

Authorities were notified at 9:23 a.m. when the smoke alarm went off in the bar, according to the report, which said 30 firefighters from Water Witch, Rising Sun and Perryville responded.

A commercial sprinkler initially helped contain the fire, which the firefighters brought under control within five minutes, the fire marshal reported.

There are seven apartments located on the second and third floors of the structure where Joe’s Grog House occupies the first floor, the report said. None of the 16 tenants who lives in the building was displaced, according to the report.

However, Joe’s Grog House did experience effects from the blaze. “Extensive smoke, soot and water damage was present throughout the bar,” the fire marshal reported.

There was an estimated $10,000 in structural damage and $10,000 worth of items lost inside the restaurant, according to the fire marshal.

State property records show the building was constructed in 1815.