Cause Of Fire At Frey Agricultural Products Was Accidental

It originated in a mulch pile.

Scenes from Sunday’s fire at Frey Agricultural Products, Unionville (Photos from Frederick County Fire & Rescue Services)

Unionville, Md (KM) The Frederick County Fire Marshal’s Office says the cause of a fire late Sunday afternoon at a business in Unionville was accidental, and it originated in a mulch pile. . Officials also say the damage from the fire is estimated at more than $1-million..

At around 5:10 PM, fire fighters were dispatched to Frey Agricultural Products in the 8500 block of Woodville Road for a building fire. They found a large mulch fire that had spread to at least one barn. A tanker task force was requested.

With windy conditions causing the flames to spread to other buildings, the fire went to a second alarm. An aggressive attack enabled personnel to prevent the fire from encroaching on other buildings. One building with several pieces of equipment was completely destroyed and there was extensive damage to other buildings at the complex. Water was brought in from a stream on the property, and hauled in from a pond on Black Ankle Road, fire officials say.

It took five hours for crews to bring the flames under control. Personnel remained on the scene overnight to monitor the fire, and additional units returned to the location on Monday to put out hot spots.

Fire and Rescue Services officials say the farm owner was able to relocate many pieces of machinery, farm equipment and livestock out of harms way.

A total of 42 pieces of fire equipment and more than 100 fire fighters from Frederick, Carroll and Montgomery Counties. respond to the scene. . There were no injuries.

By Kevin McManus