On Wednesday June 29, 2022 at 0725 hours box alarm 10-18 was sounded for the report of the commercial building fire on the property at Camp Airy just off of Route 550 North of Thurmont. First arriving units were a School Resource officer with the Frederick County Sheriffs Office and a Maryland State Trooper. The officers reported smoke visible and everyone was out of the structure. Moments later units arrived from Station 10 and reported the same findings. A Rapid Intervention Dispatch was requested bringing in more units for support. The fire was in a non-hydranted area which meant water had to be pumped to the scene from a nearby pond on the property. The pond on the property was at the entrance. Water had to be pumped approximately 4000ft up two steep hills, to the fire. Multiple engines were placed every so many feet in between to assist with the pumping the water such a great distance.

A Second alarm and a fire task force was dispatched a short time later bringing in more units and personnel to help fight the large fire. After about 3 hours and 100 fire fighters from two different states the fire was marked under control. Units operated for about 10.5 hours total to control hot spots and flares up. After units cleared from the scene some went back a few times throughout the night for other flare ups.

The building was deemed a total loss and the Frederick County Fire Investigations Task Force is investigating the incident and has said they have ruled out any suspicious or intentional factors. Damages were estimated at $2,000,000.

Mutual Aid Assistance provided by:

Maryland: Thurmont Ambulance, Vigilant Hose (Emmitsburg), Lewistown, Rocky Ridge, Walkersville Rescue, Walkersville Fire, Northgate (Frederick City), Woodsboro, Wolfsville, New Midway, Libertytown, Fort Detrick, Independent Hose (Frederick City), New Market, Germantown (Montgomery Co.), Smithsburg Fire (Washington Co.), Smithsburg Ambulance (Washington Co.) Harney ( Carroll Co.), Leitersburg (Washington Co.), Union Bridge (Carroll Co.)

Pennsylvania: Blue Ridge Summit (Franklin Co.), Waynesboro (Franklin Co.), Raven Rock Mtn Complex (Franklin Co.), Fountaindale (Adams Co.), Fairfield (Adams Co.), Greenmount (Adams Co.)