A structure fire engulfed a 100-foot by 75-foot produce barn at Next Step Produce on Benton Road in Newburg, Charles County, on October 1, 2025, resulting in an estimated $1.05 million in damages.
The blaze, discovered by owner Heinz Thomet around 10:18 p.m., originated in the interior of the barn and was determined to be accidental, stemming from discarded fireplace ashes that ignited nearby combustible materials. Firefighters from the Newburg Volunteer Rescue Squad and Fire Department, along with supporting units, responded to the scene and controlled the fire after four hours of effort. Approximately 50 firefighters participated in the single-alarm incident, and no injuries occurred as a result.
The loss included $250,000 to the structure and $800,000 to its contents, with no smoke alarms or fire suppression systems present in the barn. The property, part of Next Step Produce, serves as a key storage and processing facility for the farm’s operations. Next Step Produce, located 50 miles south of Washington, D.C., operates on 30 arable acres and focuses on four-season farming with a variety of grains, beans, vegetables, and fruits. Heinz Thomet established the farm in 2000 after purchasing the land in 1999 with Gabrielle Lajoie, emphasizing organic practices and soil stewardship. The farm employs regenerative agriculture techniques, such as cover cropping and minimal tillage, to enhance soil health and sequester carbon while producing specialty crops for local markets. These methods align with broader efforts in Charles County to support sustainable farming, where agriculture remains a vital economic sector.
Charles County promotes agritourism and local produce through initiatives like pick-your-own farms and community-supported agriculture programs, allowing residents to access seasonal goods directly from producers. The county’s economic development resources assist agribusinesses with planning, funding, and market access to sustain operations amid challenges like weather events and infrastructure needs. In 2017, Charles County farms reported total production expenses of $16,899,000, highlighting the scale of agricultural activity in the area. Policy in the county preserves farmland for food production, protecting it from non-agricultural development to ensure long-term viability. Farms like Next Step Produce contribute to this landscape by offering diverse products, including rare grains such as rice, which is grown commercially by only a few operators in Maryland.
Barn fires pose significant risks on farms, often due to combustible stored items like hay or equipment. Preventive measures include regular inspections to remove dust, cobwebs, and excess materials from aisles and storage areas. The National Fire Protection Association recommends creating fire breaks, installing extinguishers, and avoiding ignition sources near barns. In Maryland, open burning regulations require a 10-foot fire break around materials and adequate personnel to monitor flames, reducing accidental spreads. For electrical safety, farms should use closed-motor fans instead of standard box fans to prevent sparks in dusty environments. Storing hay at appropriate moisture levels minimizes spontaneous combustion risks, particularly in the weeks after baling. Implementing a farm fire safety plan involves identifying hazards, training personnel, and coordinating with local departments for quicker response times.
This incident underscores the vulnerabilities in agricultural infrastructure, where older structures may lack modern alarms or sprinklers. While no one was displaced and operations continue on the farm’s other areas, the loss affects storage capacity during harvest season. Charles County’s farming community, known for its produce and livestock, relies on such facilities to maintain supply chains for local consumers and markets.
