St. Leonard Volunteer Fire Department and mutual aid crews responded to a residential structure fire on Douglas Street in St. Leonard early Saturday morning.
At approximately 10:55 p.m. on May 8, 2026, volunteers from St. Leonard, along with crews from Prince Frederick, Solomons, Huntingtown and Dunkirk volunteer fire departments, were dispatched to the 5683 block of Douglas Street for a reported working house fire.
Engine 71 arrived to find fire coming through the roof of a single-family residence. Crews began an aggressive interior and exterior attack to prevent further spread. Chief Weems established command alongside Assistant Chief DeVries.
Firefighters worked quickly and brought the fire under control within approximately 30 minutes. All occupants and pets safely fled the home. No injuries were reported.
The fire caused an estimated $150,000 in structural damage and $50,000 in contents loss. The single occupant was assisted by the American Red Cross. A working smoke alarm was present. The preliminary cause is listed as undetermined. The Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating.
Approximately 35 firefighters operated on the scene.
Less than 30 minutes after clearing the Douglas Street call, St. Leonard units were dispatched to a second house fire at 2:08 a.m. on Dasher Lane in Cove Point. Chief 7 arrived and quickly downgraded the call to a minor room-and-contents fire that was extinguished. Units were placed back in service.
The back-to-back fires highlight the demands placed on volunteer fire departments in Calvert County, where crews often respond to multiple incidents in rural and waterfront communities during overnight hours. St. Leonard Volunteer Fire Department serves a growing area that includes residential neighborhoods, marinas and the popular Cove Point community.
Mutual aid from neighboring departments remains critical for large incidents in St. Mary’s and Calvert counties, where volunteer companies provide the majority of emergency response.
The Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office continues to investigate the Douglas Street fire. No arrests were made.
