Fire in Chesapeake Landing Caused by Malfunction

A mechanical malfunction caused a fire in a Perryville townhome Wednesday, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal.

Around 3:30 p.m. on July 3, a smoke alarm activated inside a townhouse on the unit block of Starboard Court, the fire marshal reported.

After discovering smoke in the basement, the woman who lived there evacuated with her two children, the report continued.

Fifteen firefighters responded and had the situation under control within one minute, according to the fire marshal. The Community Fire Company of Perryville reported that it sent a truck and an engine to the scene. 

A sprinkler controlled the blaze, which the fire marshal said was contained to a clothing dryer. The cause was determined to be a mechanical function that ignited the interior of the dryer, according to the report.

Nobody was injured as a result of the fire, the fire marshal said.

The family was able to stay overnight in their home because the damage was minimal, according to the report; the dryer malfunction caused $5,000 in structural damage to the home and $3,000 in damage to contents.