California, MD – Burning incense sparked a fire that injured one person and displaced the occupants of a one-story, wood-framed house in St. Maryโ€™s County Monday afternoon, Jan. 31, state investigators reported. According to the Maryland State Fire Marshalโ€™s office, the blaze did $75,000 damage to the house on MacArthur Boulevard in California. An occupant of the home discovered the fire shortly before 2 p.m.

โ€œThe fire was determined to be accidental as the result of unattended incense burning in the bedroom,โ€ a deputy fire marshalโ€™s report stated. โ€œThe incense ignited nearby combustible materials, causing damage to the home.โ€

The injured occupant sustained non-life-threatening burns and smoke inhalation. The injured occupant was transported to MedStar St. Maryโ€™s Hospital for treatment.

Thirty firefighters were dispatched to the one-alarm blaze and had the flames under control in 30 minutes. The displaced family of five is being assisted by the American Red Cross.

Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com


Previous stories on this incident from Monday, Jan. 30

UPDATE – 2:22 p.m. EMS completed patient evaluation it was determined no injuiries sustained from the house fire.


California, MD – Jan. 30 1:58 p.m. Fire was reported on MacArthur Blvd. There are injuries related to the fire.ย 

More details to follow..