A passerby spotted flames at a former bed and breakfast in Havre de Grace early Monday morning, triggering a response that brought 50 firefighters to the scene.
What happened: The fire broke out at 800 Market Street, a two-story building known as the former Currier House, which was empty and under renovation at the time. No one was hurt.
Where it started: The fire began in the space between the first-floor joists, then spread sideways to an exterior wall — which is where passersby first saw it. It climbed from the first floor to the second floor through an interior wall.
Why the alarms did not stop it: Smoke alarms were in the building and went off. A fire alarm system and sprinklers were also in place, but neither activated because the fire burned inside the walls and between floors — out of reach of those systems.
The damage: Firefighters from Susquehanna Hose Company got the fire under control in 30 minutes. Most of the estimated $150,000 in damage came from smoke, soot, and water — including a pipe that burst during the fire. The fire itself stayed contained to the floor and one interior wall.
The cause: Investigators say the fire was accidental, caused by an electrical failure. The renovations underway at the building did not play a role.
What’s next: No arrests were made. The building was not occupied.
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