Dog dies, firefighter injured in Harford County house fire

A dog died and a firefighter was injured in an overnight fire at an Abingdon townhouse that damaged three homes.

Investigators say the fire may have been caused by discarded smoking materials.

The fire started on the back deck of a house on Browning Court, off of Laurentum Parkway.

A little before 3 a.m., Abingdon Fire Company and surrounding fire departments were dispatched to the fire. Most of it was contained to the original house, but the two homes next to it sustained moderate or heavy damage from smoke, soot and water.

The owners' dog perished in the fire, and a firefighter suffered a non-life-threatening arm injury.

The Maryland State Fire Marshal said in a statement:

Due to the amount of damage and difficulty of completely extinguishing the fire, Harford County Highway used an excavator to assist in removing heavy debris.

The fire caused an estimated $500,000 in damage.

Nine residents have been displaced.