Fire damages historic Castle at Keswick in Baltimore's Hampden neighborhood

Baltimore's historic Castle at Keswick in the Hampden neighborhood was heavily damaged by a fire Monday. Investigators are now searching for the cause. 

More than 100 firefighters were called in to battle the fire at the 126-year-old building around 4:30 p.m. The heavy smoke and flames were contained to the third floor and attic. No one was hurt, city fire officials said. 

Keswick Road will remain closed between 33rd and 34th Streets throughout Tuesday morning, the Baltimore Department of Transportation said. 

Fighting the Castle at Keswick fire

Baltimore City Fire spokesperson John Marsh praised firefighters for preventing the flames from spreading.

"The guys and gals did a great job containing this because there is a whole part of an extension that goes down 34th Street, and this was just contained to the main building," Marsh said.

Marsh said gusty winds and the height of the building made their work difficult.

"We were probably having bursts of wind over 20 miles per hour that literally spread the fire," Marsh said. "It's one of our challenges when we have something like this. In any fire situation, you've seen where fires would go a whole block because of the way the wind is pushing, we try to create an area surrounding it so that we can contain the fire right there."

Firefighters were also worried about the building collapsing because of its age. 

"We created a collapse zone. We had slates coming off the roof, so we decided to contain the building with the collapse zone," Marsh added.

Baltimore City Councilwoman Odette Ramons told WJZ it was upsetting to see the historic building catch fire.

"Seeing it like this is definitely disheartening," Ramos said. "Nobody wants this type of thing to happen."

Historic Castle at Keswick   

The building, built in 1899, used to house Baltimore's Northern Police District, but now houses a few small businesses, including the Community Law Center. The non-profit has called the castle home for more than a decade.

The executive director of the nonprofit said more than just the building went up in flames.

"Probably wait to hear official confirmation, but we're going to need another place to work for quite a while is my understanding," said Amy Petkovsek, executive director of the Community Law Center. "My staff has a lot of emotional processing to do. They were - we were here, and they all watched the building burn. It's a tough year as it is, and so we are absolutely going to be determined to rebuild."

Ramos spoke about the importance of these buildings to Baltimore's history.

"Last night, as people were gathering, so many people were talking about their memories," Ramos said. "Whether they were in that building for good reasons or bad, considering it was a police station at one point. Some of our police officers talked about their time there, as well as some retirees."

Business owner reacts to fire

Jill Andrews Gowns, a bridal boutique, is another small business taking space in the Castle at Keswick. The owners were just four days shy of celebrating their 16th anniversary before the fire broke out.

The business is known for making gowns for brides and other occasions.

Jill Andrews said her shop sustained damage from firefighters working to contain the fire. She said her business had destroyed furniture and fabrics, leaving the studio floor soaked just hours after the fire was put out.

"It was really surreal seeing it raining inside the studio, knowing that I had precious family heirlooms that I am trusted with," Andrews said.

Andrews was at the post office mailing a gown on Monday afternoon when her friend texted her a photo of black smoke coming from the top of the Castle on Keswick.

By the time she got back, flames were shooting from the roof of the building.

Andrews said her mind immediately went to one place.

"My clients, and just concern for the couple of people that were getting married this weekend," Andrews said. "Going through my head and doing the inventory."

Andrews was left picking up the pieces. However, she said the fire couldn't destroy the memories she built in the studio over the years, or the relationships she's made.

"I'm really grateful to live in a city that has really allowed me to have this career and allowed me to build so many gowns for so many wonderful people, and they're all coming back and giving me love, so that's a win," Andrews said.

An online fundraiser has been started to help Andrews rebuild...which she says she plans to do as soon as possible.

Previous fires in Hampden

Within the past year, multiple fires have ripped through the Hampden neighborhood, particularly on Keswick Road.

In May, a fire tore through three rowhomes. In December 2024, six vacant homes were damaged during a fire in the community, according to the Baltimore City Fire Department. In October 2024, two adults died, and multiple families were displaced after a five-alarm fire on the same block of Keswick Road. 

The fires displaced dozens of residents and damaged Pathway Fellowship FMC after it had just finished renovations earlier in the year. 

"I had five fires in my district just this past week," Ramos said. "Not just here, but across the district also. And in the wintertime, we do see some of this increase for many reasons. So we do want to encourage people to, as they start to put on their heat and think about the holidays, to really be safe."

Ramos encourages everyone to check their smoke detectors as we head into the colder months.