ST. LEONARD, Md. — A two-story single-family home on Delight Court in St. Leonard was destroyed by fire early Saturday morning, forcing Calvert County firefighters into a defensive attack and triggering one of the county’s largest water-shuttle operations of the year.
The blaze was reported at approximately 5:50 a.m. on November 30, 2025. First-arriving units from St. Leonard Volunteer Fire Department (Company 7) found the structure fully involved with heavy fire showing from all sides. Incident Commander Assistant Chief Vanessa DeVries immediately ordered a defensive operation, ruling out any interior firefighting due to the extent of the fire.
Because the rural neighborhood has no fire hydrants, crews established a water-shuttle operation using the fill site at Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum on the Patuxent River. Nearly every tanker in Calvert County responded, supplemented by mutual-aid Tanker 74 from St. Mary’s County. Engine 61 from Solomons VFD drafted water at the river while Chief 6B from Huntingtown VFD directed the water-supply group.
Firefighters ultimately moved an estimated 50,000 gallons through multiple master streams and handlines, primarily supplied to St. Leonard’s Engine 71. Tower 2 from Prince Frederick and Tower 9 from Bay District provided elevated master streams to knock down the bulk of the fire from above.
Calvert County Fire-Rescue-EMS Chief Ricky Weems II responded to the scene to monitor the incident.
The homeowners and their dog escaped unharmed through a basement exit after the primary front door became blocked by flames.
“All homeowners should have two means of escape and thankfully this family had just that,” Assistant Chief DeVries said.
Chief Weems confirmed no injuries to residents or firefighters.
Investigators believe the fire originated in the chimney area, though the exact cause remains under investigation by the Calvert County Fire-Rescue-EMS Fire Investigations Unit and the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office. Officials reminded residents that with colder weather arriving, chimneys and wood-burning appliances should be inspected and cleaned by certified professionals before the heating season.
St. Leonard VFD thanked all responding agencies involved and highlighted the response as proof of the effectiveness of the Calvert County Tanker Task Force, a specialized unit created to deliver large volumes of water to areas without hydrants. The task force includes tankers from St. Leonard, Prince Frederick, Huntingtown, Solomons, Dunkirk, North Beach, and mutual-aid partners in St. Mary’s and Charles counties.
The home is considered a total loss. Red Cross is assisting the displaced family.
