CHARLES COUNTY, Md.—Investigators from the Office of the State Fire Marshal were called to investigate a fire at the Charles County Fairgrounds located at 8440 Fairgrounds Road in La Plata on Tuesday. The fire was dispatched at 3:25 pm and spread quickly due to the windy weather conditions. It took about 170 firefighters from Southern Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC fire departments approximately an hour and 30 minutes to control the fire.
The fire caused approximately $500,000 in damage and destroyed several mobile homes (RV style), cattle barns and the show ring.
The fairgrounds are leased to carnival workers throughout the winter months, who reside in RV's while they perform carnivals in the local area. Multiple renters were displaced and two dogs perished due to the fire.
The Department of Natural Resources assisted in containing the fire and reconstruction. The Charles County Sheriff’s Office assisted on the scene with the investigation, which went on for several hours.
The investigation into the origin and cause of the fire is ongoing. Anyone with information in reference to the fire is asked to call the State Fire Marshal's Office, Southern Region at 443-550-6820.
Source: Office of the State Fire Marshal