A fire broke out in the unit block of 27 East Main Street in downtown Westminster on Wednesday evening, according to Kevin Dayhoff, the Westminster Fire Department's public information officer.
The Carroll County Emergency Communications Center first reported the building fire, which included a rescue component, at 5:40 p.m., Dayhoff said. Westminster Mayor Mona Becker also posted about the fire on Facebook. "Traffic on Main Street is being directly impacted by this fire. Expect detours and delays," she wrote.
Photo courtesy of Kevin Dayhoff/Westminster Fire Department.
Dayhoff said seventy-six firefighters responded in multiple fire suppression units from the Westminster, Reese, New Windsor, Manchester, Pleasant Valley, Hampstead and Upperco fire departments.
Backup and fill-in support was provided by Frederick County's Emmitsburg Truck 6, a tower unit, Engine 7-3 from Lineboro, and Mount Airy Medic 18, Dayhoff said. Westminster police, the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal, the Carroll County building inspector and Baltimore Gas and Electric also responded, according to Dayhoff.
Photo courtesy of Kevin Dayhoff/Westminster Fire Department.
The fire was out by 6:35 p.m. and crews remained on scene until 8:10 p.m., clearing equipment, according to Dayhoff.
At one point, as many as 16 residents were displaced from their apartments, according to Dayhoff, who said there were no injuries. Following inspection, three apartments were declared unsafe, he said.
The fire remains under investigation, according to Dayhoff.
Photo courtesy of Kevin Dayhoff/Westminster Fire Department.
Featured photo: Courtesy of Kevin Dayhoff/Westminster Fire Department.