Bryans Road Volunteer Fire Department firefighters controlled a garage fire that extended into a two-story single-family home in Charles County within 25 minutes Wednesday night, displacing the homeowner with no injuries reported as the Office of the State Fire Marshal investigates the origin in the interior of the garage.
The incident occurred at 10:20 p.m. on January 28, 2026, at 6712 McCormick Drive in Bryans Road. A neighbor discovered the fire and alerted the homeowner, who escaped unharmed. Multiple 911 callers reported flames from the attached garage with occupants accounted for. First-arriving units found fire throughout the garage extending to the first and second floors. Crews deployed multiple attack lines and achieved control in 25 minutes, with operations lasting over two hours.
Forty-five firefighters responded on one alarm to the scene. Smoke alarms and fire alarms were present and activated; no sprinklers operated. No arrests occurred. Estimated losses stand at $200,000 to the structure and $50,000 to contents, for a total of $250,000. The preliminary cause remains under investigation by the Office of the State Fire Marshal Southern Region. Anyone with information is asked to call 410-414-3615.
The Bryans Road Volunteer Fire Department serves as the primary responder for this westside Charles County community, handling frequent structure fires in residential areas amid ongoing growth. Recent department activities include approval of a $471,959.82 ambulance replacement in January 2026 by the Charles County Board of Fire and Rescue Commissioners, funded through capital reserves without debt, and receipt of a $750 Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant for wildland firefighting projects.
This fire follows a pattern of garage-originated blazes in Southern Maryland, where investigations often focus on electrical faults, vehicle issues, or stored combustibles common in attached spaces. The rapid control here contrasts with the previous day’s Indian Head fire at 5450 Powerline Place, where ice delayed access and caused injuries. Charles County volunteer departments, including Bryans Road, rely on mutual aid from surrounding units like those in Waldorf and Accokeek for larger incidents.
Activated smoke alarms likely aided the unharmed escape, aligning with state fire marshal emphasis on maintenance. Maryland residential fires originating in garages frequently involve extension to living areas due to shared walls and openings, underscoring neighbor vigilance as in this case.
The swift response prevented injuries in a densely populated subdivision, highlighting volunteer firefighters’ role in Charles County’s public safety amid winter hazards. Charles County fire incidents in early 2026 include a January 21 Waldorf garage fire displacing two and the January 29 Indian Head total loss, reflecting seasonal risks from heating and weather.