$500K Damage To 2-Story Havre De Grace Home Caused By Suspected Electrical Fire In Bedroom

HAVRE DE GRACE, MD — Officials suspect an electrical failure or overloaded power strip sparked a house fire Friday shortly after 9 p.m.

The call for help came in around 9:06 p.m. Sept. 20 at the home located at 550 Old Bay Lane in Havre de Grace.

The owners were home at the time of the fire and told investigators they were downstairs when they heard two loud and distinct noises. When they went upstairs to check on the sounds, they found the TV on the floor and their second-floor main bedroom on fire. The husband attempted to put out the fire with fire extinguishers; however, he was pushed out by heavy smoke and the 911 dispatcher told them to get out, the state fire marshal's office reported.

The owners escaped with their dog and cat and currently are displaced. Friends and family will assist them. The bulk of the fire was contained to the bedroom, but the fire stretched into the attic where firefighters encountered several false ceilings and void spaces. Approximately 50 firefighters from the Susquehanna Hose Company battled the blaze, which took around three hours to control.

The two-story, single family home sustained extensive heat, smoke, soot and water damage, according to the state fire marshal's office. Damage and loss of contents has been estimated at $500,000 and the fire continues to be investigated.