Fire destroys historic hardware store in Baltimore's Hampden neighborhood

A fire destroyed a historic hardware store in Baltimore's Hampden neighborhood on Monday, prompting an emergency response amid freezing temperatures. 

Firefighters responded to Falkenhan's Hardware in the 700 block of W 34th Street around 7 a.m., where they worked quickly to extinguish the flames. 

Falkenhan's has been in the city since the 1800s. 

"I turned around and saw the state of the building, which is completely gutted, and my heart dropped," said Gail Rosen, the owner of nearby Andamento Studio and Gallery.

By 7:40 a.m., the fire was under control, officials said. No injuries were reported.

According to fire officials, the snow and freezing temperatures on Monday morning posed a challenge for crews. Temperatures were around 20 degrees in Baltimore. 

Officials said the cause of the fire was accidental and electrical.

"Huge loss for the neighborhood"

Neighbors said Falkenhan's Hardware was the place to go if you needed something for a project, a recommendation for a contractor, or a donation for a community fundraiser.

It is considered by neighbors to be a "pillar of the neighborhood."

"Devastation," said neighbor Michelle Berry.

"We've always been so grateful to have a local hardware store and have the expertise of the people she hires and herself," Rosen added.

Neighbors said owner Deb Falkenhan has given so much to the community, and they want to support her in any way they can.

"My heart hurts for her," Rosen said.

"It's one of the last really local hardware stores; they have ironically raised money for the fires that happened about a year ago down the street," Berry said. "They've raised a lot of money for a lot of causes in the community. They're so welcoming and friendly, and this is a huge loss for the neighborhood."

Previous Hampden fires

This is not the first time that a fire damaged a historic building in the Hampden neighborhood. 

In early November, a fire broke out in the historic Castle at Keswick, a building built in 1899 that used to house the Northern Police District station. Gusty winds made firefighting conditions difficult. 

At the time of the fire, the building was home to several small businesses, including the Community Law Center and a bridal boutique. 

"My staff has a lot of emotional processing to do. They were - we were here, and they all watched the building burn," said Community Law Center Executive Director Amy Petkovsek. "It's a tough year as it is, and so we are absolutely going to be determined to rebuild."

In the past year, there have been several other fires reported in the Hampden community. In May, three rowhomes were damaged in a fire, and in December 2024, six vacant homes were damaged.