Hollywood, MD – An accidental fire damaged the basement of a St. Mary’s County home and led to the deaths of two animals kept in the residence, state officials reported. According to the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office, the blaze occurred Monday, Oct. 24 around 5:23 p.m. at a one-story dwelling on Emma Lane in Hollywood.
“The accidental fire was the result of a malfunctioning electrical appliance, located in the basement storage room of the residence,” a deputy fire marshal’s report stated. “The fire damage was contained to the room in the basement. One adult was displaced as a result of the fire and is being assisted by friends. One bird and one ferret perished as a result of the fire.”
31 firefighters from St. Mary’s and Calvert counties were dispatched to the one-alarm blaze and brought the blaze under control within 10 minutes. Damage to the structure and contents is estimated to be $30,000. The fire marshal’s office identified the owner/occupant as Henry Steinfeld.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com