FIRE COMPANIES FROM FOUR Maryland counties converged on historic downtown Mt. Airy this morning in order to save the town. Departments from Frederick, Carrol, Montgomery and Howard counties all worked to bring the fire under control. Fire broke out around 4AM in a Civil War era building that housed a restaurant, pizza parlor, and appartments. Due to the lack of available water volume in the area a tanker shuttle was initiated to fight the blaze. At approximately 11AM, a building collapse of the second story into the streets caused crews to retreat leading to an elevated streams exclusive operation. Demolition equipment was brought in to bring the remaining affected structures to the ground. The town was established in 1830. Even with it’s involvement in the Civil War, the only growth setbacks the town endured were during the previous three ‘great fires’ in 1903, 1914, and 1925. The town rebuilt every time.

Full photo collection of nearly 60 fire scene images can be found HERE