Barn Burns After Charcoal Grill Sparks Blaze

JARRETTSVILLE, MD — An unattended charcoal grill sparked a fire in a barn Thursday night.

Around 30 firefighters from the Jarrettsville Volunteer Fire Company were called to the property around 8 p.m., which is located in the 1200 block of Baldwin Mill Road.

The fire was discovered by a neighbor and took the firefighters around 30 minutes to gain control of the blaze.

According to the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal, the property owner said he was using a charcoal grill earlier in the evening and thought it had self-extinguished. The owner and his girlfriend then left the home, but a neighbor called him to say they had seen a fire in an open area of the barn.

The owner returned home and attempted to extinguish the fire with a garden hose but it quickly spread throughout the structure. No horses or livestock were injured.

Investigators determined that winds of approximately 10 mph, with gusts reaching up to 21 mph, contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.

The fire marshal's office has estimated loss of the structure at $100,000.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal recommended residents follow these tips when grilling outdoors:

• Place the grill well away from the home, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
• Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting it.
• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grilling area.
• If you use starter fluid when charcoal grilling, only use charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire. When you have finished grilling, let the coals cool completely before disposing of them in a metal container.
• Never leave your grill unattended when in use.