Photos and information obtained from Hagerstown Fire Department
A two-alarm fire damaged both sides of a duplex in Hagerstown’s West End on Sunday, Oct. 4.
Washington County Emergency Communications began receiving calls at 4:20 p.m. reporting a house fire in the 400 block of Clarendon Avenue.
Hagerstown Fire Department crews arrived to find heavy fire coming from the second floor of both sides of a 2½-story duplex. The fire was also threatening a neighboring home.
Crews deployed attack lines and searched both sides of the duplex. The incident was upgraded to a second alarm because of the extent of the fire and the need for additional personnel.
Searches of the building found no one inside. Emergency medical personnel evaluated one occupant at the scene. Firefighters later found that the fire had spread into the attic spaces of both residences.
The American Red Cross is assisting the displaced occupants. The Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause.
The Hagerstown Fire Department reminded residents to install working smoke alarms on every level of their homes, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Alarms should be tested regularly.
