Maryland State Fire Marshal

Media Advisory
Martin OMalley Governor William E. Barnard State Fire Marshal

April 3, 2013

Fire Damages Local Fairgrounds

CHARLES COUNTY, MD (April 2, 2013) Investigators from the Office of the State Fire Marshal were called to investigate a fire at the Charles County Fairgrounds located at 8440 Fairgrounds Road in La Plata of Charles County. The fire was dispatched at 3:25 pm and spread quickly due to the weather conditions. It took about 170 firefighters from Southern Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC fire departments approximately an hour and 30 minutes to control the fire. The fire caused approximately $500,000 in damage and destroyed several mobile homes (RV style), cattle barns and the show ring. The investigation into the origin and cause of the fire is ongoing. The Department of Natural Resources assisted in containing the fire and reconstruction. The Charles County Fairgrounds is a non-profit organization which has been rooted in heritage and history for over 355 years. The fairgrounds are leased to carnival workers throughout the winter months, who reside in RV's while they perform carnivals in the local area. Multiple renters were displaced and two dogs perished due to the fire. The Charles County Sheriffs Office assisted on the scene with the investigation, which went on for several hours. Anyone with information in reference to the fire is asked to call the State Fire Marshal's Office, Southern Region at 443-550-6820. ###
The Office of the State Fire Marshal is an agency of the Department of State Police dedicated to helping protect citizens from fire and explosion through a comprehensive program of education, inspection, investigation and fire protection engineering. For more information on fire safety call 1-800-525-3124, log onto our website at: www.firemarshal.state.md.us and/or follow us on Facebook under Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal.

Media contact: Caryn L. McMahon, Deputy State Fire Marshal; 240-435-0804

1201 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208