********************Published by the State Fire Marshal********************

CAUSE DETERMINED IN MULTI-ALARM SOLOMONS FIRE CALVERT COUNTY, MD (May 25, 2021) - The Office of the State Fire Marshal, in conjunction with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, has concluded the cause of last night's multi-alarm fire that caused nearly 3 million in damages was an accident.

Investigators determined a candle being used by a homeless person taking refuge inside a camper trailer located to the rear of the building ignited combustibles before spreading to the adjacent structure. The subject inside the 25-foot trailer was able to escape and temporarily fled from the area.
Investigators worked throughout the night and into the early morning hours and identified the 38-year-old man after being transported to a local hospital for an unrelated medical emergency.

Firefighters were dispatched to 13860 HG Trueman Road in Solomons around 10:45 p.m. for a building fire. Firefighters arrived to find the shopping plaza located just before the Governor Thomas Johnson Bridge ablaze. It took nearly 4-hours and multiple fire departments from Calvert, St. Mary's, Charles, and Prince Georges counties to bring the fire under control. No injuries were reported, and firefighters were successful in rescuing two pets from Solomons Veterinary Medical Center.

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At on May 24th, 2021 at approximately 1040 hrs the Solomons Volunteers and surrounding companies were dispatched to the Solomons Veterinary Medical Center and Patuxent Adventure Center in Solomons for a reported commercial building fire. Caller reported of a potential explosion before seeing flames thru the roof. The Solomons Volunteers quickly respond with Engine 31, Engine 33, and Truck 3 to the scene. Chief 3 arrived on scene to find a strip mall with heavy fire thru the roof and called for second alarm operations which dispatch multiple additional agencies from Saint Marys, Charles and Calvert for assistance.

Immediately command established defensive operations in order to save surrounding properties and businesses. The crew from Engine 33 deploy multiple exterior attack lines to assist controlling the blaze while Truck 3 and other mutual aide established ladder pipe operations around the building in order to flow water down onto the scene. At approximately 0100 hrs command called for several excavators to assist with pulling the building down in order for firefighters to get deeper into the scene to extinguish the center of the fire. At 0300 hrs command deemed the fire scene under control. One firefighter was treated for dehydration and smoke inhalation. No other victims or injuries have been reported at this time. Crews are still on scene assisting the fire marshal with the investigation and extinguishment of hot spots. At this time the cause of the fire has not been determined.

This story will be updated once more information is received.

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