Fire that spread across three vacant buildings in Downtown Baltimore contained
A massive fire broke out at a vacant building in downtown Baltimore Tuesday evening, causing transit delays and prompting a response from several city agencies.
The incident was later upgraded to a five-alarm fire and spread across three vacant buildings before it was brought under control Tuesday night.
Firefighters responded to the fire in the 200 block of W Fayette Street around 3:30 p.m. The fire was contained around 8 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Baltimore City Fire Department.
According to department officials, a four-story vacant building was on fire, with flames extending into connected vacant buildings.
Around 4:30 p.m., crews said they were attacking the flames from outside with ladder pipes and large monitor pipes.
Residents and drivers were asked to avoid Howard Street between Baltimore Street and W Saratoga Street, the Baltimore Office of Emergency Management said.
Baltimore Police, Department of Transportation and Department of Public Works (DPW) crews also responded to the scene.
Transit impacts
The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) said LocalLink 56,71,76, and 78 will detour at Fayette Street and St. Paul Street until Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025, at 12:30 p.m.
The CityLink Orange and Purple will detour at Fayette Street and St. Paul Street until Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025, at 12:30 p.m.
On Wednesday morning, MTA officials said they are working to complete repairs and track inspections before restarting Light Rail service. A shuttle is running between Falls Road and Patapsco to North Avenue and Campden Station.
Maryland fires
In 2024, Baltimore reported the highest number of fire deaths of any Maryland jurisdiction, with 19 fatalities from 15 fires, according to an annual report from the state Fire Marshal's Office.
So far this year, the city has seen numerous fires, one of which ended with the death of a firefighter.
In May, Baltimore City Fire mourned the loss of 44-year-old Lt. Mark Dranbauer, who died days after suffering a medical emergency while battling a fire.
Department officials said Lt. Dranbauer was about 30 to 40 feet off the ground on a ladder when he suffered the emergency and fell backward on the aerial ladder.
The 23-year veteran died after being taken to Shock Trauma.
Recently, in August, Baltimore firefighters responded to a building fire downtown after smoke was seen coming from a group of rowhomes. Officials said four rowhomes were involved, two of which were vacant.
On Sunday, Aug. 31, a Baltimore firefighter was injured while crews were on the scene of a fire at a golf range.
Crews were called to the 6500 block of Lombard Street, where a building was engulfed by flames.
A firefighter suffered minor injuries while on scene and was released from a hospital shortly after, fire officials said.
