Two firefighters released from hospital after Sunday night downtown Hagerstown fire

The Hagerstown Fire Department and several other fire companies responded Sunday evening to a structure fire in downtown Hagerstown near the construction site for a new sports stadium.

Two firefighters were injured during the incident and were taken to Meritus Medical Center, according to a Hagerstown Fire Department news release. The firefighters have since been released from the hospital, according to the release that was issued late Monday morning.

The fire at 26 W. Baltimore St. was reported at 6:32 p.m. Sunday, a Washington County 911 supervisor said.

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The building, which looks like a house, is listed as a commercial property. It was not immediately clear if a business was active in the building.

Deputy Fire Chief Adam Hopkins confirmed it was the former Snook's Poultry building. That business has been closed.

The fire was across the alley from the construction site for the Hagerstown Multi–Use Sports and Events Facility.

Hagerstown firefighters arrived to find smoke coming from multiple openings in a 2 1/2-story wood-framed combination residential/commercial structure, the release states.

The Hagerstown fire marshal's office is investigating the cause of the fire, assisted by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

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Multiple fire companies battle downtown Hagerstown fire

Initial firefighting crews tried an interior fire attack, but were forced to withdraw from inside the structure due to a "well-advanced fire" as well as the building's construction, layout and contents, the release states. Those crews that took a defensive posture from outside the building.

Crews used saws and other tools to open the building from the outside to try to get the fire out, the release states.

A second alarm was sounded, bringing more resources and firefighters.

Three aerial master streams and additional ground-based master streams were used at one point to control the fire, the release states. A master stream can deliver at least 500 gallons of water per minute.

After the master streams helped firefighters control a large part of the fire, officials assessed the structure and crews went back inside to continue opening walls to help put out the fire, the release states.

About 90 fire personnel helped with fire suppression or support of fire operations, the release states.

In addition to all Hagerstown Fire Department resources responding, other fire companies responded from Funkstown, Halfway, Leitersburg, Longmeadow, Maugansville, Smithsburg, Williamsport and Greencastle, Pa.

Washington County's Division of Emergency Services, Emergency Services Support Unit (air and rehab), and fire police and the county fire-rescue association safety officers also responded to the incident.

The state fire marshal's office, Community Rescue Service, Hagerstown Auxiliary Police and the Hagerstown Light Department also responded.

Crews remained at the incident scene through the night and were on scene Monday morning, helping investigators.

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Hagerstown Fire cautions residents after third fire in four days

Hagerstown Fire officials, in the release, issued a reminder about the importance of practicing fire safety after three fires, including two significant fires, in the last four days.

On Thursday evening, the occupants at Mount Royal Apartments at 673 Oak Hill Ave. in Hagerstown's North End were displaced due to a fire.

Hagerstown Fire Chief John DiBacco said last week that the American Red Cross was assisting those residents.

That fire appeared to orignate on the fourth floor and spread to the attic space, DiBacco has said. The lower floors sustained water and some smoke damage.

Hagerstown Fire officials caution people to have working smoke alarms, remain in the kitchen while cooking and to keep bedroom doors shut while sleeping at night. If city residents need help with working smoke alarms, they can call the fire department at 301-791-2544.

Also, have and practice an escape route in case of a fire, the release states. This includes having a place for your family to meet after evacuating.

When evacuating a fire, close the door behind you if it's safe to do so. Do not go back in a building that is on fire.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Multiple fire companies respond to downtown Hagerstown fire