A detached garage was destroyed by fire Friday night in La Plata, causing an estimated $70,000 in damage.
On Friday, July 24, 2026, at approximately 8:45 p.m., firefighters responded to 10480 La Plata Road for a reported structure fire.
Firefighters arrived to find a 40-by-30-foot detached garage fully engulfed in flames and already collapsed. Crews established a defensive operation and deployed four hose lines to contain and extinguish the fire while protecting a nearby residence.
The fire was brought under control in approximately 45 minutes and was confined to the garage, with no extension to the home.
According to the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the occupants discovered the fire after smelling smoke and noticing a glow from the flames outside their home.
A total of 54 firefighters responded to the one-alarm fire. The La Plata Volunteer Fire Department served as the primary responding department, with Engine 11, Truck 1 and Chief 1A responding with nine volunteers.
Crews remained on the scene for approximately three hours completing extinguishment and overhaul operations.
No civilians or emergency personnel were injured, and no residents were displaced.
Damage was estimated at $50,000 to the structure and $20,000 to its contents. The garage did not have smoke alarms, a fire alarm system or sprinklers.
Investigators determined the fire originated inside the garage. The cause remains under investigation.
Anyone with information regarding the fire is asked to contact the Office of the State Fire Marshal’s Southern Regional Office at 410-414-3615.
