Newburg, Charles County— At approximately 8:53 p.m. on February 22, 2025, a fire was reported at a vacant commercial building at 12500 block of Crain Highway in Newburg. The 30?by?50?foot structure, owned by Kent Croft, sustained an estimated $500 in structural damage. The fire began inside the building before spreading to nearby brush. No injuries were reported.
A passing motorist observed the flames and called 911. According to the dispatch record, “Just before 9:00 PM, our 911 Center received a call from a passer-by saying they ‘see flames’ coming from a commercial building in the 12500 blk of Crain Highway.” This call prompted the dispatch of 53 Fire/EMS personnel to the scene.
When unit E143 arrived, they reported a fire burning near a section of the building adjacent to a large accumulation of trash. Shortly thereafter, Chief 14A (Smith) arrived and established command. Units including E102 and Truck 28 assisted in bringing the external flames under control within 10 minutes. A search of the building confirmed that it was empty, with only minor damage noted on the roof.
The building did not have any smoke alarms, fire alarms, or sprinkler systems installed, a condition that contributed to its vulnerability. Local authorities were notified immediately. The Office of the State Fire Marshal – Southern Region has taken over the investigation. The incident is classified as incendiary, and investigators are examining the evidence to determine the cause. Anyone with further information is asked to call 410-414-3615. No arrests have been made, and SMECO was also informed.
Emergency services cleared the scene in less than two hours. The prompt response prevented further damage to the property and surrounding area. Although the fire spread from the interior to nearby brush, the damage was limited to an estimated $500 in structural loss; there was no damage to the contents.
Officials have not released any details beyond the initial report regarding the cause of the fire. The investigation is focused solely on determining the fire’s origin and whether any deliberate actions were involved. There is no reference in the available information to any interaction between the property owner and investigators.
Local authorities remind the public to report any unusual activity immediately. The incident underscores the importance of prompt reporting and the effectiveness of the local emergency response. With the fire contained swiftly and without injury, the focus now is on completing the investigation and confirming the circumstances that led to the blaze.
The case remains under active investigation by the Office of the State Fire Marshal – Southern Region. Officials will provide additional updates as more information becomes available. In the meantime, the emphasis is on ensuring that proper fire safety measures are considered for vacant properties, even though no additional details about the building owner’s actions were included in the initial report.
