Fire Near Buffalo Wild Wings: Investigators Determine Cause

BEL AIR, MD — A fire behind Buffalo Wild Wings in Bel Air on Tuesday resulted in an evacuation and caused $1,000 in damage, according to investigators. Discarded smoking material caused the blaze, which officials said was ruled accidental.

At 11:50 a.m., an employee discovered the fire behind the restaurant at 5 Bel Air South Parkway in the Festival at Bel Air.

The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company brought the fire under control within five minutes, according to the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

At first, the restaurant was evacuated; and later, it was reopened with permission from the Harford County Health Department.

A small area of exterior siding was affected by the fire, the fire marshal reported.

The fire marshal offered these tips for safely disposing of smoking materials:

• Ensure smoking materials are completely extinguished every time they are discarded.
• Smoke outside and use deep, sturdy ashtrays.
• Consider using water or a noncombustible container filled with sand to ensure fire is extinguished.
• Do not toss lit cigarettes out a window in a vehicle. Instead, use an ashtray to fully extinguish them before putting the butts in a receptacle.