Fire Causes $500K Damage To Abingdon Home

ABINGDON, MD — Two people lost their home days before Christmas after a fire broke out in the attached garage and caused extensive damage to the home Saturday.

The fire was detected by a neighbor who called 911 on Dec. 20 around 4:15 p.m. The home, located in the 200 block of Suitland Place, did have working smoke alarms, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office.

Around 50 firefighters with the Abingdon Fire Company and Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company responded to the emergency call, and gained control of the fire within 30 minutes.

The state fire marshal's office reported that a neighbor saw light smoke rolling out from the garage, which intensified. The neighbor and a second person knocked on the homeowner's door to alert them to the fire, then helped both residents out of the home.

Investigators have determined that a discarded cigarette in the garage likely is the cause of the fire, ruling out a 2018 Ford Escape as the cause that was parked in the garage and now is a total loss. The two adults are being assisted by the Harford County Disaster Assistance, friends and family. The loss of contents and structure has been estimated at $500,000, the state fire marshal's office reported.

"Investigators credit firefighters for quickly controlling the fire and preventing it from spreading throughout the home and to the home next door," the fire marshal's office stated.