DENTON, Md. – Five people escaped a Denton house fire Sunday morning after an occupant discovered flames inside an attached garage and closed the door leading into the home, a move investigators credit with limiting the spread.
The fire broke out shortly before 8 a.m. at 108 Briarwood Circle. Everyone inside the two-story home made it out without injury, although a family cat remained missing Monday morning.
Investigators with the Maryland State Fire Marshal determined the fire started inside the attached garage and was accidental. Discarded smoking materials were identified as the preliminary cause.
Closed Garage Door Helped Contain the Fire
When the occupant discovered the fire, the person closed the interior door connecting the garage with the rest of the house before escaping.
That simple action made a significant difference. The fire marshal said closing the door contained most of the fire damage to the garage.
The Denton Volunteer Fire Company led the response, bringing 25 firefighters to the one-alarm fire. It took crews about an hour to bring the flames under control.
Damage to the house and its contents was estimated at $300,000.
Smoke and fire alarm protection was present in the home, but investigators noted an unprotected area within the garage. No arrests were made.
The five displaced residents are staying with family or friends and receiving assistance from the American Red Cross.