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Fire destroys Camp Airy dining hall

(7/5) The Frederick Fire Marshal’s Office deemed the Camp Airy building a total loss after a two alarm fire June 29.

Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue Services were dispatched to a building fire at Camp Airy, located at 14938 Old Camp Airy Road, Thurmont at approximately 7:27 a.m.

A Frederick County Sheriff’s Office school resource officer as well as a Maryland State Trooper were first on the scene and confirmed smoke on the second floor of the structure and that the building was evacuated, according to a press release from the Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue Services.

Arriving fire crews located the camp’s dining hall with visible smoke and a rapid intervention dispatch, tanker task force, and second alarm were requested. The incident brought in over 100 firefighters from Maryland and Pennsylvania to battle the blaze. Fire and rescue crews were able to isolate the fire to the dining hall and Camp Airy staff relocated all campers safely to a distant section of the property. The fire was brought under control in about three hours, but numerous crews remained on scene for the duration of the day extinguishing hot spots.

As is normal for a fire this substantial, hot spots rekindled overnight and throughout the morning bringing crews back out to continuously monitor and douse embers. Residual smoke could be spotted by residents and travelers to Thurmont. Over 85,000 gallons of water were placed on the remnants of the structure to ensure it was completely extinguished.

Though the camp was in session, no camp staff or attendees were in the area of the fire when it started and no injuries were reported.

The Frederick County Fire Investigations Task Force has examined and assessed damages. Work will continue to determine the exact cause, but officials have ruled out any intentional or suspicious factors. The building has been determined to be a total loss and damages are estimated to be around two-million dollars. Following the incident, Camp Airy has continued to operate as normal.

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