In the early hours of Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at approximately 3:55 a.m. St. Mary's County Emergency Communications alerted Bay DIstrict Stations 3 and 9 to the 17500 block of Whitestone Drive for a structure fire, sending multiple fire departments from St. Mary’s, Calvert, and Charles Counties into action.

The initial alert came from an alarm company, promptly followed by concerned neighbors reporting smoke alarms blaring and confirming the presence of a fire within the residence. Witnesses described the scene as the house became engulfed in flames, threatening neighboring structures and vegetation, fueled by gusty winds.

Responding swiftly, firefighters from the Second District, Bay District, Leonardtown, Hollywood, and NAS Patuxent River, joined by reinforcements from across the region, battled the inferno valiantly. A total of 80 firefighters, representing the collaborative effort of three counties, worked tirelessly to bring the blaze under control within an hour, preventing further escalation and safeguarding nearby properties.

Despite the intensity of the blaze, thanks to the courageous efforts of our first responders, no injuries were reported. The homeowner managed to evacuate safely.

While the immediate danger has been mitigated, the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal has commenced an investigation into the cause of the fire, recognizing its significance as the second 2-alarm fire in St. Mary’s County within 24 hours.