News & Announcements

The Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office investigated two separate fires on Saturday July 29, 2023 following severe thunderstorms passing through Worcester County that evening.

The Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office investigated a commercial structure fire at Smokers BBQ Pit located at 9711 Stephen Decatur Highway in West Ocean City early this morning. The Ocean City Fire Department was dispatched for a reported structure fire at 4:12 AM. Upon arrival, crews experienced fire conditions on the exterior of the structure. Crews brought the fire under control quickly with fire and smoke damage extending throughout the interior as well.

The Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office investigated a vehicle fire in Berlin on Wednesday.

The Berlin Volunteer Fire Company was dispatched for a reported vehicle fire at 10:48 AM at the intersection of Mary Road and Sinepuxent Road in Berlin. First arriving units observed significant fire conditions throughout a Ford Transit cargo van abandoned on the side of the roadway. Crews worked quickly to extinguish the fire with minor extension to a farm field nearby.

Snow Hill, Maryland (May 1, 2023): Effective immediately, the outdoor burning ban in Worcester County is being lifted.

“Due to the significant amounts of rainfall throughout the county during the weekend, the drought conditions have improved, and the burn ban has been lifted,” Fire Marshal Matt Owens said. 

All who conduct outdoor burnings, regardless of the type, are reminded that the law requires any fire to be attended from start to extinguishment. Precautions for having the proper tools and safe water supply are also required.

Snow Hill, Maryland – Effective Monday, April 24, 2023, ALL outdoor burning will be banned for an indefinite period of time in Worcester County.  Worcester County Fire Marshal Matthew Owens issued the burn ban. 

“Due to the county’s current dry conditions, the burn ban is effective starting April 24,” Fire Marshal Owens said. “This ban should reduce the number of out-of-control, outside fires, which cause safety concerns for area residents, visitors, and especially responding fire personnel.” 

The Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office investigated a vehicle fire at 10123 Germantown Road in Berlin at 8:25 AM.

Upon arrival of the Berlin Volunteer Fire Company, crews observed a small SUV on fire at the rear of the property. Crews quickly made access to the rear of the home and extinguished the fire.

Fire investigators observed a fire had occurred inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle due to an unknown reason.

The Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office investigated a residential structure fire which occurred at 9252 Croppers Island Road in Newark.

The Newark Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched for a reported house fire at 11:12 AM. Upon arrival, crews experienced significant fire conditions throughout the two-story single-family home. Early into the incident, an evacuation of interior crews was ordered after a firefighter fell through the 2nd floor and the building partially collapsed.

“The Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office investigated a vehicle fire this morning in Ocean Pines which injured several firefighters and completely consumed the vehicle. At approximately 11:26 AM the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to 16 Wood Duck Drive for a reported vehicle on fire. Upon arrival, crews observed a work van in the driveway of the residence well involved with fire. A short time later while firefighters were working to extinguish the fire, the fuel tank ruptured causing a significant fire event to occur resulting in three injured firefighters.

On Wednesday, April 13, 2022 we were requested to assist the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Company and Ocean Pines PD with an incident located at 56 Battersea Road in Ocean Pines.  First responding units from both the fire service and the police department located an unconscious, unresponsive occupant.  A vehicle, located in an attached garage, was found running and it appeared the vehicle had been running for an extended period of time due to the conditions in the garage and the CO levels in the house.  The State of Maryland Medical Examiner’s Office also assisted with the inve

On Tuesday, April 12, 2022 we were requested for a residential structure fire located at 12316 Old Bridge Road, Ocean City, to assist the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company.  The Berlin Volunteer Fire Company responded to assist with the extinguishment of the fire.  The house was not occupied at the time of the fire.  The fire was quickly extinguished with no injuries reported.  There was extensive fire damage to the single family dwelling.