Story Category: The Bay Net Exclusives »

A St. Mary’s County family has been displaced after a late morning fire damaged their one-story home on Atlanta Avenue in Lexington Park, the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal reported.

According to Dcfm. Duane K. Svites, a neighbor called 911 around 11:20 a.m. when the blaze was discovered. Firefighters from Bay District and Patuxent Naval Air Station Fire Department were dispatched to the one-alarm blaze and brought the flames under control in six minutes.

Svites said there were no injuries reported and the firefighters rescued two dogs from the burning structure.

“The fire department arrived to find fire to the rear of the house and quickly worked to extinguish it before it extended even further into the house,” Svites stated.

The preliminary investigation by Dfm. Melissa Bean determined the fire originated on a rear exterior, covered back porch. Bean reported the preliminary cause to be accidental and electrical in nature. the estimated damage to the structure and contents is $150,000.

A smoke alarm and house alarm functioned properly during the emergency.

Svites said the family is being assisted by the American Red Cross.

Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com