Crews Battle Two Overnight House Fires in Howard County

Two fires caused significant damage to two homes in Columbia and Clarksville late Tuesday evening and early Wednesday morning, fire officials said.

No serious injuries were reported in either fire, but one of the fires displaced five individuals, according to the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services.

The first fire started just after 10:39 p.m. at a two-story single family home near the 7000 block of Guilford Road in Clarksville. Officials reported seeing fire showing from the second floor of the residence. About 30 firefighters extinguished the blaze in approximately 20 minutes, according to fire officials. 

No one was displaced as a result of the fire, and officials estimated $5,000 in damages to the home.

The cause of the fire was accidental, according to Jackie Cutler, a spokesperson for HCDFRS.

Fire crews responded to a second fire around 2 a.m. at a townhouse near the 6100 block of Majors Lane in Columbia.

Upon arrival, officials saw heavy smoke rising from the second floor of the residence. It took about 40 firefighters 15 minutes to extinguish the blaze, according to HCDFRS. Red Cross was notified to assist displaced residents.

A total of five individuals, three adults and two children, were displaced as a result of the fire, according to Cutler. Damages were estimated at $40,000, and the cause of the fire was determined to be accidental, said Cutler.