A garage fire in Charlotte Hall on Tuesday afternoon resulted in significant damage and left one person injured. The fire broke out at approximately 12:34 p.m. at a single-story detached garage located at 38300 block of Pleasant View Drive in St. Mary’s County. A neighbor spotted the flames and immediately alerted authorities, prompting a large emergency response.
The fire, which originated outside the garage, quickly spread due to strong winds. Investigators determined that the blaze started from a pile of burning debris that became uncontrollable. Flames engulfed the garage, causing an estimated $70,000 in structural damage and an additional $30,000 in losses to its contents. The fire also reached the main residence, causing minor damage.
James and Theresa Lee, the owners of the property, were home when the fire started. An adult male resident sustained minor burns and smoke inhalation while attempting to respond to the fire. Emergency medical personnel arrived at the scene, and the injured individual was flown by Maryland State Police Trooper 7 to Baltimore Shock Trauma for treatment. Authorities have not released further details on his condition.
The Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department led the response, deploying 75 firefighters to the scene. Despite challenging conditions, crews managed to bring the fire under control within an hour. There were no fire alarms or sprinkler systems present in the garage, which may have contributed to the extent of the damage.
Local fire officials are using this incident as a reminder of the dangers associated with outdoor burning, especially in windy conditions. Without proper precautions, small fires can quickly escalate into dangerous blazes. Firefighters urge residents to avoid burning debris on breezy days and to always have a water source nearby to prevent flames from spreading.
Authorities are not considering this fire suspicious, and no arrests have been made. The investigation remains ongoing, but officials have classified the fire as accidental.
