Two-alarm fire destroys business, apartment

A two-alarm fire wreaked havoc in Indian Head on Monday morning, destroying Eleanor’s Thrift Shore and an apartment, according to authorities.

The sole occupant – a juvenile – awoke to the smell of smoke and was able to escape unharmed as neighbors called 9-1-1.

A preliminary report from the State Fire Marshal’s Office labeled the cause of the fire that resulted in an estimated $150,000 in damages as “incendiary,” but the investigation is ongoing.

Nearly 100 firefighters from Indian Head Naval Base, Byrans, Waldorf, 10th district, La Plata, Accokeek, Allentown Road, and Potomac Heights volunteer fire departments responded to the 4100 block of Indian Head Highway and battled the flames for about an hour before the fire was controlled, according to fire marshals.

A firefighter from the Indian Head VFD was injured during the incident, and had to be transported to the hospital, said Bill Smith, an EMT and spokesman for the Charles County Volunteer Firemen’s Association.

“He cut his hand, his index finger, pretty severely. He’s going to have to have surgery,” Smith told the Maryland Independent. “He was making entry to the front door of the building and cut his hand on glass, the front door glass of the thrift store.”

Other fire departments from Charles and St. Mary’s counties and Alexandria, Va., covered the stations left vacant by the firefighters committed to the fire location.