Fires Fought At Barn, Townhouse, 2-Story Home In Howard Co.

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Firefighters battled three blazes during Labor Day weekend, including a barn fire in Highland where one firefighter was injured.

Firefighters were called to a barn located in the 6800 block of Mink Hollow Road in Highland around 5:40 a.m. Sunday. Crews found smoke pouring out of the large structure. They tackled the fire and gained control of it within 45 minutes. Firefighters remained at the scene for an additional two hours to extinguish hot spots and one firefighter was treated at the scene for a minor injury, according to the fire department.

While the cause of the fire hasn't been determined yet, the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal has ruled it as accidental.

Crews were called to a townhome located in the 6000 block of Quiet Times in Columbia Sunday around 2:40 p.m. for a report of a house fire. They found flames shooting out of the back of the home that had spread to the second and third floors. The fire also stretched into the attic of two neighboring townhomes, but was brought under control within 45 minutes, Howard County officials stated.

Residents of the three affected townhomes have all been displaced and are being assisted by the American Red Cross. The cause of the fire has been ruled accidental by the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal, and has been linked to discarded smoking materials.

Shortly after 11 p.m. Monday, firefighters were called to a home located in the 6500 block of Beechwood Drive in Columbia for a report of a fire. The first crew on the scene found heavy fire in the garage and second floor of the two-story home. Emergency responders gained control of the fire within 30 minutes, according to the fire department.The family has been displaced and the cause of the fire has been ruled accidental by the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal. Officials suspect a possible electrical malfunction.