Harford Firefighters Battle Accidental Blazes, Woods Fire Saturday

(Photo courtesy Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association)

Local fire crews tackled a trio of blazes Saturday afternoon, including two accidental fires and one that remains under investigation.

Field Fire Threatens Bel Air Homes

A field fire accidentally ignited by equipment for a residential pond threatened several homes in the northern Bel Air area Saturday afternoon.

According to a release from the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the blaze broke out shortly after 4 p.m. in a small outbuilding of a residence in the 1100 block of Timberlea Drive in Bel Air. A total of 40 firefighters from the Bel Air, Fallston and Jarrettsville fire companies responded and spent approximately one hour bringing the fire under control.

Several homes were threatened when the brush fire spread thanks to dry conditions and a strong wind, according to a statement from the Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association.

The fire was traced to a 5-foot by 5-foot outbuilding which contained electric and pump equipment for a large residential pond on the property, fire officials said. Damage to the small structure was estimated at $500, while damages to its contents were estimated at $4,500.

Homeless Structure Sparks Fire in Joppa

Fire officials continue to investigate a Saturday afternoon fire along the CSX train tracks in Joppa.

The fire was reported by a passerby just after 5 p.m. along the CSX train tracks between Pauls Lane and Mountain Road in Joppa. Five firefighters from the Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company responded and extinguished the blaze in approximately 10 minutes.

According to a release from the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the fire was linked to a homeless structure in the area, but the exact area of origin and cause of the fire remain under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the State Fire Marshal’s North East regional office in Bel Air at 410-836-4844.

Accidental Fire Damages Baldwin Home

A blaze traced to a homemade grill damaged the exterior of a Baldwin home on Saturday evening.

The fire was reported shortly after 7:30 p.m. by a neighbor on the rear deck of a home in the 3100 block of Morningside Court in Baldwin, according to a release from the Office of the State Fire Marshal. A total of 20 firefighters from the Fallston, Jarrettsville and Bel Air fire companies responded and brought the blaze under control in approximately 10 minutes.

The blaze was ignited on the deck by the owner’s use of a homemade BBQ grill, fire officials said. Damage to the home was estimated at $5,000, while damages to its contents were estimated at $100.