Worcester burn ban update

 

MAY 1, 2023 - WORCESTER COUNTY BURN BAN CANCELLED

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.

For further information, contact Fire Marshal Matt Owens at 410-632-5666.

UPDATE On Fires Set In Cypress Park- Arrest Made

From the Worcester County Fire Marshal's Office

 On August 22, 2011, the Pocomoke Police Department arrested and charged

Anthony Deshield of Pocomoke for setting fires in Cypress Park.

The Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Company responded  to Cypress Park in Pocomoke City on Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 6:46 am for several fires in the park area.  Damage was done to a pavillion, restrooms and childrens playground equipment.

  Deshield with 2nd Deg. Arson, 2nd Deg. Malicious Burning and Malicious Destruction of property of another.

 The arrest is the result of a joint investigation by the Pocomoke Police Department and the Worcester County Fire Marshal's Office.

Deshields is presently being held in the Worcester County Jail without bond.

According to the Worcester County Fire Marshal's Office these fires are not linked to the fire extinguished by the Pocomoke City Police Department in a housing complex back in July of this year.

Fire Ruled Arson In Pocomoke Apartment Building

PRESS RELEASE: 

The Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office is assisting the Pocomoke Police Department with a fire investigation at Lynnhaven Acres Apartments. 

The apartment complex is located at 806 Lynnhaven Drive, Pocomoke, Maryland. 

The Pocomoke PD was requested to respond to the above mentioned address for reported smoke in a structure. 

Upon their arrival they observed a small amount of smoke in an apartment building with burnt paper lying on the ground just outside of the apartment building. 

 Pocomoke PD reported the burnt paper was hanging on a board just inside the door and was removed and extinguished prior to their arrival.  The fire was intentionally set or arson. 

 Anyone with additional information should contact Chief Deputy Matt Owens at 410-632-5666 ext. 2 or mowens@wcfmo.org

Burned Out Mini Van Found On Rural Road In Bishopville

BISHOPVILLE — In an unusual find, fire marshals are trying to learn more about a charred minivan found on a rural road, after a fire that burned out without being doused by a fire department.

The Worcester County Fire Marshal's Office says the fire happened at 12060 Industrial Park Road, in a wooded section of the dirt roadway.

 A passerby reported seeing the Chrysler Town & Country at 5 p.m. July 13, but officials said the fire appeared to have happened the previous night.

Anyone with further information is asked to contact Chief Deputy Matthew Owens at 410-632-5666 or email at mowens@wcfmo.org.

Source;  http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20110714/NEWS01/110714017/BISHOPVILLE-Burned-out-minivan-found-on-rural-road?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Worcester County Times|s

Garage Fire Under Investigation

The Worcester County Fire Marshal's Office is investigating a fire at 407 McGrath Road. The fire occurred at approximately 10AM. Fire Departments from Fruitland, Allen and Salisbury Station 1, 16 and Parsonsburg from Wicomico County, Princess Anne from Somerset County and Snow Hill responded to the alarm.

Arriving firefighters found the detach garage and shed fully involved. The fire is under investigation and no cause has been determined at this time.

Anyone with information or questions about this fire is asked to call the Fire Marshal's Office at 410.632.5666 or the Maryland Hotline at 1-800-492-7529.

wcfmo.org

Suspicious Package Found In Pocomoke

At the request of the Pocomoke City Police Department, the Worcester County Fire Marshal's Office assisted with a suspicious package found at a PNC Bank.

The incident was reported at 1:30PM in the 600 Block of Linden Avenue in Pocomoke City, Maryland.

An arriving Officer found the device and requested assistance from the Fire Marshal's Office.

The Ocean City Bomb Squad was requested and with the use of a robot, the device was examined and found to be a discarded electrical component left behind by a contractor.

Anyone with questions may contact the Fire Marshal's Office at the number listed above or email jmcmahon@wcfmo.org.

worcester county firemarshall

False Fire Alarm Ordinance Passed By Pocomoke City Council

POCOMOKE CITY -- With fire alarms and fire control taking up much of the Pocomoke City mayor and council's meeting this week, the council voted to pass an ordinance that would impose penalties for false fire alarms.

If a person is found guilty of intentionally activating a signal in a nonemergency situation, he or she will be given a fine of up to $500 or imprisonment or both.

A property owner or occupant will be allowed three responses to alarms within a 30-day period or eight responses in a 12-month period because of negligent or accidental activation of the alarm. Any responses in excess of the above numbers would subject the user to a $30 penalty for each false alarm.

Once the user receives a written notice, sent out by the police department, fire company or ambulance service, that the user has a defective alarm, he or she will not be allowed to use the alarm. Anyone violating this provision could be given a fine of up to $500 or given 90 days in jail or both.

Worcester County Fire Marshal Jeff McMahon also presented the benefits of having sprinkler systems installed in single-family residences. A new state law calling for any new single-family homes built after Jan. 1, 2011, to have sprinkler systems will go into effect unless the council votes to opt out of the regulation.

McMahon said it would cost $1.61 per square foot or much less to install a sprinkler system in a new home, adding there could be an additional cost if there were no water source, such as a town system.

In other action, the mayor and council moved a step closer to the beginning of construction of a restaurant between the Delmarva Discovery Center and the Pocomoke River with the signing of an agreement with the Worcester County Commissioners for a $500,000 block grant.

This federal grant will come through the commissioners.

www.delmarvanow.com

Worcester County Burn Ban Still ln Effect

July 7, 2010 - Worcester County Places A Burn Ban In Effect

Written by Jeff McMahon Wednesday, 07 July 2010

Update: Monday, July 12, 2010 - BURN BAN STILL IN EFFECT

Effective immediately (July 7, 2010), outdoor burning is banned for an indefinite period of time in Worcester County.

Worcester County Fire Marshal Jeff McMahon issued the burning ban today, July 7, 2010 after dry weather and 12 outdoor wildfires occurred in Worcester County during the past 30 days.

The ban applies to all outdoor ignition sources, including campfires, bonfires, fireworks, leaf, brush, grass and trash burning and other similar methods of open incineration.

The ban does not apply to public permitted fireworks displays with fire company personnel assisting or Assateague beach campfires.

Since the beginning of June, the County has experienced an increased number of brush, field and woods fires,” said McMahon.

“These fires cause safety concerns for area residents and responding personnel. -The ban will remain in effect until the dry conditions dissipate.

For further information contact Fire Marshall Jeff McMahon at 410-632-5666.