CUMBERLAND — A Virginia Avenue garage fire Friday has been ruled accidental by the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal, according to a release Monday.
The structure at 1200 Virginia Avenue in Cumberland’s South End was described as a one-story, block-framed automative garage occupied by All Needs Auto and More LLC.
The fire marshal’s office said that acquaintances of the business owners saw fire inside the garage and attempted to put it out prior to the arrival of the Cumberland Fire Department.
The fire was reported just after 1 p.m. near the intersection of Humbird Street, according to a spokesperson for the Allegany County Joint Communications Center.
The estimated loss to the structure and contents combined is $10,000, according to investigators, who said the fire originated in the corner of the garage bay.
The first arriving fire department units reported smoke showing from the garage, according to Cumberland Fire Department Interim Chief Cody Pearce.
“The crew from Engine 2 entered the building and located the fire near the rear of the structure,” Pearce said. “Our crews initiated a quick, aggressive attack which resulted in a fast knockdown” of the fire.
Units from Cumberland, Bowling Green, Shaft, Bedford Road, Cresaptown, and Allegany County Department of Emergency Services responded to the blaze.
“Searches of the building revealed smoke throughout and the fire had extended into the void space between the ceiling and the roof,” Pearce said. “Moderate overhaul was required to address that extension.”
Cumberland Police Department assisted on scene, according to the Joint Communications Center spokesperson.
Units remained on scene until just after 3 p.m.
No injuries were reported and no occupants were displaced, according to investigators.
Todd Bowman is a local and national journalist specializing in public safety news. Follow his work on all social media platforms @ThePeakedT.