Child, 5, caused $25K shed fire in Elkton neighborhood

ELKTON — A blaze that destroyed a shed in an Elkton neighborhood and damaged neighboring buildings was started by a child playing with fire, according to the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal.

The shed owner called 911 at 4:18 p.m. on Friday after discovering the burning outbuilding on a residential property in the 200 block of Hollingsworth Manor, prompting area volunteer fire companies to respond, fire officials said. Singerly Volunteer Fire Company of Elkton served as the on-scene command unit, fire officials added.

Approximately 30 volunteer firefighters battled the blaze for about 10 minutes before bringing it under control, fire officials reported.

After the fire had been extinguished, MOSFM detectives conducted an on-scene investigation to determine where the blaze started and what caused it.

“Investigators determined that the occupant’s five-year-old child set an item on fire inside the shed,” said Master Deputy Fire Marshal Oliver J. Alkire, an agency detective and spokesman. “The fire caused extensive radiant heat damage to the back of the home, as well as damage to neighboring sheds.”

No one was injured during the fire, which caused approximately $25,000 in total damage, fire officials reported.

The fire caused an estimated $15,000 in structural damage to the 8’-by-12’ tarp-covered shed and to the rear of the home and to other nearby sheds, according to Alkire. The blaze also destroyed approximately $10,000 in belongings, he reported. Fire officials identified Hollingsworth Apts. LLC / Kara Larson as the property owner.