Firefighter Injured, Dog Killed In Blaze That Destroyed Townhome

ABINGDON, MD — A fire broke out shortly before 3 a.m. Friday in Abingdon, destroying a townhouse, injuring a firefighter and killing a dog.

Around 55 firefighters were called to 2851 Browning Court for a report of a fire. The blaze started on the back deck of the middle two-story townhouse. A total of three homes were damaged by the fire, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal.

The owners woke up to the smell of smoke and discovered heavy fire on their rear deck that stretched upwards on the backside of the home. The neighbors on either side also woke up and saw the fire, the fire marshal's office reported.

One firefighter injured his arm and was taken to the hospital. The owners' dog died in the fire.

Most of the fire was limited to the middle townhome; however, adjacent homes did sustain fire, smoke, soot and water damage. Firefighters spent upwards of an hour battling the blaze and ended up using an excavator to remove most of the home afterward. Officials continue to investigate the fire but stated that discarded smoking materials could not be ruled out as a cause. The fire caused an estimated $500,000 in damage and loss of contents, according to the state fire marshal.

Nine residents have been displaced and Harford County Disaster Assistance and the American Red Cross are helping them.