UPDATE: Burned vacant home was part of author’s estate
The Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office is continuing its investigation of a blaze that destroyed an abandoned, two-story, single-family home on Camp Kaufmann Road in Huntingtown. State officials reported Tuesday, Aug. 26 that the house was part of the estate of best-selling author Tom Clancy, who died last October.
“Investigation revealed that two individuals were seen leaving the area just before the fire was discovered,” stated Dfm. Don Brenneman.
The total loss of the structure is estimated at $149,000.
Ten firefighters from Prince Frederick and Huntingtown were dispatched to the scene and brought the flames under control in 15 minutes.
Anyone who might have information that would aid in the investigation is asked to call the Maryland Fire Marshal’s Southern Region Office at 443-550-6835.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
Units were called to a house fire at an unknown location by a boater on the bay at approximately 5:15 p.m. that observed the house fully engulfed in flames.
The Prince Frederick Volunteer Fire Department began investigating the location of the home as the boater believed it to be in that area.
After a hard search units spotted smoke coming from the trees near the area of Camp Kaufmann Road.
The home was identified as abandoned, since last year when the homeowner passed away.
The road that gave access to the home could only be reached by brush units and no engine company could get access. As the Chief from Prince Frederick was the first to arrive on the scene, he found the home already burnt to the ground. As a result it took at least three hours to water down the fire enough get to a point that it was okay to leave.
There were brush units from Prince Frederick, Huntingtown, St. Leonard, North Beach and Benedict working on this call. There were tankers from Prince Frederick and Huntingtown and the Engine from Prince Frederick on the scene as well.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.