UPDATE March 8, 2019 from the Office of the State Fire Marshal:
A neighbor observed smoke emanating from the residence and called 9-1-1. The Fire Marshal reports the fire started in the attached garage. Forty-three Firefighters from Mechanicsville VFD and Hollywood VFD responded and had the blaze under control in thirty minutes.
The neighbor who discovered and called the fire in; Jean Houser Crile, spoke with The Southern Maryland Chronicle this morning. She says she discovered the fire and tried to break the back door down to get the dog out before the Fire Department got there. Ms. Crile was unable to retrieve the dog, but Fire Personnel did later remove the dog, intact. It is believed she died of smoke inhalation. Ms. Crile is also a School Bus Driver for St. Mary’s County Public School and has windshield camera footage she has turned over to the Fire Department
The residence was unoccupied at the time of the fire and there are no reported injuries. However, one pet dog perished as a result of the fire. The owner is being assisted by family and friends.
The Fire Marshal estimates the loss of structure at $250,000.00 and contents at $50,000.00.
Ms. Crile also states she had to call the Fire Department at 4:20, March 8, 2019 because another fire had started in the house’s remains.
The investigation into the exact cause of the blaze is still on-going. Neighbors and friends have begun collecting items, gift cards and other donations for Mr. Epps. If you wish to donate you can take them to Quality Auto B0dy and Collision in Mechanicsville( information below in article.)
UPDATE: The Southern Maryland Chronicle has spoken to a friend of the home owner. Friend Jeff Edwards says the homeowner Brian Epp lost everything in the blaze including his beloved dog, that perished.
Jeff is the Co-Owner of Quality Auto and Body Collision in Mechanicsville,MD and they will be accepting donations to help Mr. Epp out.
Quality Auto and Body Collision is located at 38592 Brett Way
Mechanicsville, Maryland 20659.
Mechanicsville, MD- At 1:37 pm a 9-1-1 call went out for a single family home with flames and smoke showing. The Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire department arrived(26500 block of Meadow Wood Drive, Mechanicsville) to find the home completely engulfed and notified that animals were trapped inside.
Watch for emergency vehicles, and personnel.
This is a developing story.