Eight townhouses burn in Aberdeen, displacing 18 people, fire department says

Eighteen people were displaced in a two-alarm fire Saturday that spread to eight townhouses in Aberdeen, the Harford County Volunteer Fire Association said.

Four townhouses in the eight-house block collapsed under fire and water damage. All eight are considered total losses, said Oliver Alkire, a spokesperson for the Maryland State Fire Marshal.

Firefighters from Aberdeen and Abingdon saw the fire in the distance around 10:45 p.m. while responding to the 4700 block of Witchhazel Way and immediately called for a second alarm, which brings more fire crews from neighboring jurisdictions. About 60 firefighters placed the blaze under control in about an hour.

Alkire said the fire is believed to have started in the middle of the row of townhouses and near the rear of a house. The heavy fire rapidly spread throughout the entire block. The heat and flames melted cars.

Fire crews brought in heavy machinery to demolish the four houses that collapsed upon one another from fire damage. The other houses sustained extensive water, smoke and heat damage.

The fire marshal’s office is investigating the cause of the fire and whether it started inside or outside. Harford County Disaster Assistance and the American Red Cross are helping people displaced by the fire.