UPDATE filed at 5 p.m. Dec. 17, 2014
By Marty Madden
A fire that destroyed a home on Breton Beach Road in Leonardtown Wednesday morning, Dec. 17 remains under investigation by state authorities. According to the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office, the one-alarm blaze was reported shortly after 10 a.m.
“A passerby discovered the fire and contacted 911,” Dfm. Caryn McMahon stated. “The house was completely consumed with fire when the fire department arrived. Subsequently, the house was completely destroyed and the family has been displaced. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.”
No one was injured in the blaze, which investigators reported started in the laundry room. McMahon reported 35 firefighters from Leonardtown, Hollywood, Second District, Seventh District and Solomons were dispatched to the scene and brought the flames under control in 20 minutes. The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office assisted the fire marshal.
Total loss of the one-story, single-family home, which was owned by Howard and Dea Hawks, is estimated at $250,000.
Anyone with information that may aid investigators is asked to contact the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Southern Regional Office at 443-550-6831.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
Update from Ron Bailey at 11:15 a.m.:
At 10:00 a.m. Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department, Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad, Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department, Bay District Volunteer Fire Department, Second District Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department, Hollywood Volunteer Rescue Squad, Solomons Volunteer Fire Department, SMECO, Seventh District Volunteer Fire Department and the Maryland State Fire Marshal responded to a house fire on Breton Beach Road in Leonardtown.
Initially the fire was reportedly showing through the roof and quickly spread throughout the home.
Volunteers worked 20 minutes to control the fire.
There were reportedly no occupants in the house and no injuries are reported at this time.
Update to follow as it is received.
Advisory from Ron Bailey at 10:25 a.m.:
At 10:00 a.m. units responded to a houre fire on Breton Beach Rd in Leonardtown.
One of the fire trucks responding to the fire has been in a accident on Medleys Neck Rd and is in the roadway.
Take caution in area.
