Maryland State Fire Marshal

News Release

Martin OMalley
Governor

Brian S. Geraci
State Fire Marshal

PROMINENT SOUTHERN MARYLAND GUN SHOP

EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED BY FIRE
WALDORF, MD (October 13, 2014) A team of Deputy State Fire Marshals along with

Charles County Sheriffs Office detectives are continuing their investigation of a fire that damaged Freds
Sports, a well known gun range and shop. The 4:30 a.m. blaze at 2895 Crain Highway caused an
estimated one-million dollars in damage to the structure and products inside.
The preliminary on scene investigation has determined the cause of the fire was incendiary in nature
with evidence the store was burglarized prior to the discovery of the fire. Over 35 firefighters from
Waldorf, LaPlata, Brandywine, Accoceek, Hughesville and Clinton were able to control the two-alarm fire
in less than 30 minutes.
There were no reported injuries and an estimated time for the business to reopen has not been
established. The business was not equipped with a sprinkler system. Due to the business being licensed
by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), investigators from that agency have
arrived and are assisting the owner in securing the building and the inventorying of remaining
merchandise. Extensively
Investigators are requesting anyone with information about this fire or observed anything suspicious
in the area prior to the fire to contact the Southern Regional Office at 443-550-6835 or contact the Arson
Tip Line at 1-800-492-7529.

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Media contact: Oliver Alkire, Senior Deputy State Fire Marshal/Asst. PIO; 240-580-7934
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 investigation, inspection, education and fire protection
engineering. For more information on fire safety call 1-800-525-3124, log onto our website www.mdsp.org/firemarshal
and/or follow us on Facebook under Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal

1201 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208