WALDORF, Md. — Firefighters responded to a working townhouse fire Saturday evening after a caller reported a dryer on fire inside a home on Hadley Drive.
According to emergency dispatch records, the incident was reported at approximately 5:45 p.m. on Aug. 22, 2026.
The caller reported that a dryer located toward the rear of the home on the first floor was on fire and that smoke had spread throughout the residence.
Arriving firefighters reported smoke showing from a two-story, middle-of-the-row townhouse and upgraded the response to a working fire.
Crews entered the residence and began attacking the fire while conducting searches for occupants. Command initially reported that firefighters had spoken with occupants but were unsure whether everyone had made it out of the home.
Firefighters later completed primary searches of the first and second floors, with no occupants found.
Although crews initially believed the fire had been knocked down on the first floor, firefighters continued checking the second floor for possible extension after heat and smoke conditions remained. Additional crews also checked neighboring residences.
Light smoke and haze were reported inside an adjoining residence, prompting firefighters to ventilate the home and inspect the attic and other areas for possible fire extension. Crews later reported no extension to the second floor of the original residence.
During the response, emergency personnel were also requested for a woman at a nearby Hadley Drive residence who was reportedly experiencing an asthma attack. Dispatch information available Saturday evening did not indicate whether she was transported to a hospital.
By approximately 6:16 p.m., several responding units were being released from the scene while others remained to complete operations.
SMECO was requested after firefighters were unable to secure power to the residence, and the fire marshal was notified.
Shortly after 6:20 p.m., crews reported that the fire appeared to have started in the area of the dryer, but firefighters were unable to pinpoint the exact source.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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