Story Category: Fire and Rescue News »

UPDATED

The Office of the Maryland Fire Marshal reported the Thursday, July 19 blaze that heavily damaged the Calvert County Dialysis Center was sparked by a cigarette butt that was carelessly discarded into a trash can. The two-alarm blaze, initially reported at 1:44 p.m., caused approximately $200,000 damage to the single-story, brick commercial building.

According to Dfm. Dexter Hodges, the cigarette was thrown into a trash can “situated against the small storage container. The small container quickly ignited and the fire spread up the side of the building and to the roof. There was significant smoke and heat damage to the medical equipment and the business was displaced. All dialysis patient services have been relocated to area centers.”

Over 40 firefighters from all six Calvert County volunteer fire companies and the Benedict Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched and had the blaze under control in 20 minutes. No injuries were reported.

The Calvert County Sheriff’s Office closed down a portion of West Dares Beach Road near the Prince Frederick Boulevard intersection while fire crews were at the scene.

Hodges and Dfm. John Nelson conducted the investigation.

Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com

Original Story

Several Calvert County fire companies dispatched crews and equipment Thursday afternoon, July 19 to a fire at the Calvert Dialysis Center on West Dares Beach Road in Prince Frederick. It is not known if there are any injuries. The building sustained heavy damage. More details as they become available.