Home»MARYLAND FIRE DEPT. INCIDENTS»HOWARD Co. Fire Dept.»Brush fires: 6000 blk. Augustine Ave & Hanover Rd. @ Railroad 3-23-16

In the late afternoon of March 23, 2016 at least seven brush fires were reported along the CSX Railroad right of way primarily from Elkridge to Laurel. The first report came in around 1630 hours for a brush fire around the Dorsey MARC train station. This was quickly followed by several other reports of brush fires burning on Augustine Ave., Hanover Rd., Dorsey Rd., Annapolis Junction, and along Rt. 100 in Laurel. The fires were apparently started by a train moving through the area throwing off sparks that ignited dry the brush and debris along the tracks.
The multiple fires saw fire units from Howard, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Prince Georges and Carroll Counties dispatched to various locations throughout the next several hours.
MARC train service on the Camden line was suspended and trains were held outside the fire areas. CSX representatives were sent to the scene due to the disruption in their service and to support the Fire Department responses. Multiple roads in the areas were closed between Elkridge and Laurel and traffic was diverted around the affected areas. The only property damage reported was two wooden sheds on a property in Hanover. All of the fires were under control by 2030 hours. Some trains were delayed during this time and all trains were back on regular schedule by the following evening.
No injuries were reported and the exact cause was under investigation.