Jan. 17—ACCIDENT — A fire that swept through Friend’s Stockyard along U.S. Route 219 Wednesday remains under investigation by the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal.
Firefighters from at least three counties were called to the Stockyard Road property at about 5:20 p.m. and fought the blaze in 10-degree weather, according to the fire marshal’s office. It took them about two hours to control the fire.
The fire broke out in a center pen/tool area and caused a loss estimated at $300,000, the fire marshal’s office said.
One firefighter was treated at the scene for a minor injury and three cows died. Livestock were released from the burning building and officials put out a call for police and “cowboys” to help round them up.
The fire marshal’s office said three injured hogs were found inside after the fire was extinguished.
Investigators said the fire was accidental and may have been caused by a faulty extension cord plugged into a skid steer or portable heater.
Route 219 was closed during the firefighting operation led by the Accident Volunteer Fire Company.
Firefighters were called back to the scene at 6:20 a.m. Thursday when the fire rekindled.