California, MD- On Sunday, November 17, 2019, at 4:20 a.m. St. Mary’s County 9-1-1 dispatched units to a two-story, single-family home on Abell Drive with flames showing.
Units arrived to find the home fully engulfed. Forty-five firefighters worked for approximately 30 minutes to contain the blaze. One occupant; a male, escaped and was taken to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal responded to begin its investigation. At this time the preliminary report states that the cause and area of origin are under investigation. The loss of structure is listed at $200,000.00 with $50,000.00 in contents also lost.
Anyone with any information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Office of the State Fire Marshal, Southern Regional Office, at 443-550-6834.
