Historic Buildings Destroyed by Fire in Cumberland
Allegany County, February 10, 2018, a three alarm fire has destroyed
two buildings within the historic district in the city of Cumberland. Nearly 125 firefighters from both Maryland
and West Virginia were alerted to the blaze this morning shortly after 3:00
a.m. It took firefighters close to four
hours to bring the fire under control.
The fire was reported by a cab driver that was passing through the area. A team of fire investigators from the Office
of the Maryland State Fire Marshal as well as the Cumberland Fire Department,
Office of the Fire Marshal were requested and remain on the scene to
investigate the origin and cause of the blaze.
They have determined the fire originated in 29 Prospect Square and
caused significant fire and heat damage to the adjoining address identified as
27 Prospect Square. Firefighting efforts
were hampered due to accessibility to the rear of both structures due to the
construction of the buildings and narrow alleys.
29 Prospect
Square is occupied by the Delaney and Bender Law firm as well as individual
apartments. 27 Prospect Square consists
of apartments. Both structures were not
occupied at the time of the fire. Fire
investigators have estimated that damages are at $500,000.00 to the 6,000
square foot fire scene which consists of both buildings which can be described as two and a
half story brick colonial structures. No
injuries have been reported as a result of the fire. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
  
The
Office of the State Fire Marshal is an agency of the Department of
State Police dedicated to helping protect citizens from fire and
explosion through a comprehensive program of education,
inspection, investigation and fire protection engineering. For more
information on fire safety call 1-800-525-3124, log onto our website at: Maryland State Fire Marshal and/or our Facebook Page.
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