CUMBERLAND — The cause of Wednesday’s early morning fire at Zembower’s Hardware remains under investigation by the Cumberland Fire Department fire marshal.
“While units were responding, Cumberland Police Department officers on scene confirmed an active fire inside the building,” Cumberland Fire Department Interim Chief Cody Pearce said. “First arriving crews encountered fire coming from multiple openings at the rear of the structure along with heavy smoke conditions.”
The fire was first reported just before 12:30 a.m. at 239 N. Mechanic St., between Queen City Drive and Market Street, an Allegany County Joint Communications Center spokesperson said.
“The fire produced significant heat and smoke conditions inside the structure,” Pearce said. “Initial crews made a strong and coordinated fire attack that allowed firefighters to quickly contain the main body of fire.”
Pearce said that firefighters identified extension into the ceiling, preventing the fire from spreading further and likely avoided more extensive damage to the building.
The building sustained fire damage where the fire originated, along with significant smoke and heat damage throughout the structure due to the fire’s intensity, Pearce said.
Units from Cumberland, Bowling Green, Cresaptown, Ridgeley, Shaft, Bedford Road, Wiley Ford, LaVale and ambulances from Cumberland, LaVale Rescue and Allegany County Department of Emergency Services responded to the scene, according to the Joint Communications Center spokesperson.
City police evacuated a nearby residence as a precaution, Pearce said.
Firefighters remained on scene for several hours to conduct overhaul operations and assist with the investigation, Pearce said.
“During the incident, two separate civilian vehicles attempted to drive over charged fire department (hose) lines being used for fire suppression operations,” Pearce said. “One vehicle became positioned over the hose and had to remain in place until operations were scaled back and the hose line could safely be disconnected.”
Pearce said that driving over a charged fire hose is “extremely dangerous.”
“It can damage critical equipment or interrupt the water supply used to protect firefighters and property,” Pearce said.
No injuries were reported from the blaze, however three cats were found deceased during overhaul operations, according to Pearce.
In 2022, a fourth-generation family member purchased the former True Value Hardware and began operating under the Zembower’s Hardware name, which has a more than 100-year history in the Cumberland area.
Todd Bowman is a local and national journalist specializing in public safety news. Follow his work on all social media platforms @BreakingBowman.