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Massive fire consumes camp dining hall in Frederick County; building deemed total loss

No injuries reported in fire at Camp Airy

Massive fire consumes camp dining hall in Frederick County; building deemed total loss

No injuries reported in fire at Camp Airy

>> THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE DINING HALL AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE AS STAFF MEMBERS MOVED QUICKLY TO SECURE THE CAMPGROUNDS IT TOOK MORE THAN 100 FIREFIGHTERS FROM MARYLAND AND PENNSYLVANIA ABOUT THREE HOURS TO BATTLE THE FLAMES AT THE WHITE HOUSE DINING HALL AT CAMP AIRY. >> CREWS WERE ABLE TO KEEP THE FIRE CONTAINED TO THE DINING HALL OF CAMP AIRY. NO OTHER BUILDING. THEY WERE ABLE TO PROTECT THE EXPOSURE TO OTHER BUILDINGS AND LIMIT THE SPREAD TO ANY OTHER ADDITIONAL EXPOSURES . >> THE HISTORIC CAMP IS AT THE EDGE OF THE CATOCTIN MOUNTAIN PARK AND ABOUT 20 MILES FROM THE CAMP DAVID PRESIDENTIAL RETREAT-BUT FOR 100 YEARS HAS BEEN A POPULAR DESTINATION FOR JEWISH PARTICIPANTS. SINCE THERE WERE NO BUILDING SPRINKLERS OR FIRE HYDRANTS ON THE GROUNDS, CREWS HAD TO PUMP WATER FROM A NEARBY POND TO CONTAIN THE BLAZE ABOUT A MILE AWAY. IN SPITE OF THE DESTRUCTION, CAMP OFFICIALS ARE CONVINCED THEY’LL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE OPERATIONS THIS SUMMER. >> WE HAVE SHORT TERM DINING PLANS IN PLACE AND THERE ARE THINGS ARE BEING PLANNED FROM OUR TEAM OUR YEAR-ROUND BALTIMORE TEAM AND I’M JUST THANKFUL FOR CAMPERS AND STAFF FOR FOLLOWING PROCEDURES THIS MORNING WHEN THE FIRE DID HAPPEN . >> OFFICIALS WOULD NOT SAY HOW MANY STUDENTS ARE ATTENDING THIS CAMP SESSION WHICH BEGAN ON SUNDAY. AS A PRECAUTION AND TO WATCH FOR HOT SPOTS, YOU CAN EXPECT CREWS TO REMAIN HERE AT LEAST THROUGH THE EVENIN
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Massive fire consumes camp dining hall in Frederick County; building deemed total loss

No injuries reported in fire at Camp Airy

UPDATE (6/30): The Fredrick Fire Marshal's Office deemed the Camp Airy dining hall a total loss. According to the fire marshal's office, the damages are estimated to be around $2 million.The incident led to no injuries and Camp Airy has continued to operate as normal.ORGINAL STORY (6/29): Firefighters from two states fought a massive fire that consumed the dining hall at Camp Airy in Frederick County.Frederick County Fire and Rescue spokeswoman Sarah Campbell said the two-alarm fire started just before 7:30 a.m. Wednesday and that 100 firefighters from Maryland and Pennsylvania were called to the scene in Thurmont.The fire was contained within three hours to the dining hall, which had been evacuated, Campbell said."(Firefighters) were able to protect the exposure to other buildings and limit the spread to any other additional exposures," Campbell said.Officials said there were no injuries reported from the fire."Though camp is in session, no camp staff or attendees were in the area of the fire and there are no injuries. At this time, the fire is under control and crews are working to extinguish hot spots and perform overhaul," fire officials said in a statement released at noon.Deputy Fire Chief Kenny Poole said there is a large pond about a mile away from which firefighters drew water because there aren't fire hydrants in the area.At 1 p.m., fire officials said firefighters still had to extinguish hot spots before fire marshal's investigators can get into the scene.Marty Rochlin, director of Camp Airy, said the campers followed procedures and are all safe. He said the camp is working to carry on activities as normal as possible.Video below: Watch the official news conference in its entirety"I'm just thankful for campers and staff for following procedures this morning when the fire did happen," Rochlin said.Despite the destruction, camp officials said they are convinced the camp will be able to continue operations this summer."We have short-term dining plans in place and there are things are being planned from our team, our year-round Baltimore team," Rochlin said.In a statement released earlier in the morning, the camp said, "While it's too early to tell the extent of the damage, we wanted to advise everyone that all campers, counselors and staff are safe and accounted for. No one was injured in the event."The camp said it is relocating meal service and activities.The historic camp is at the edge of the Catoctin Mountain Park and about 20 miles from the Camp David presidential retreat. For 100 years, it has been a popular destination for Jewish participants. "It's bittersweet. This is a building most of us grew up in," Rochlin said. Thankfully, it's just a building ... camp is the people."Officials would not disclose how many students are attending this camp session, which began Sunday.

UPDATE (6/30): The Fredrick Fire Marshal's Office deemed the Camp Airy dining hall a total loss.

According to the fire marshal's office, the damages are estimated to be around $2 million.

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The incident led to no injuries and Camp Airy has continued to operate as normal.


ORGINAL STORY (6/29): Firefighters from two states fought a massive fire that consumed the dining hall at Camp Airy in Frederick County.

Frederick County Fire and Rescue spokeswoman Sarah Campbell said the two-alarm fire started just before 7:30 a.m. Wednesday and that 100 firefighters from Maryland and Pennsylvania were called to the scene in Thurmont.

The fire was contained within three hours to the dining hall, which had been evacuated, Campbell said.

"(Firefighters) were able to protect the exposure to other buildings and limit the spread to any other additional exposures," Campbell said.

Officials said there were no injuries reported from the fire.

"Though camp is in session, no camp staff or attendees were in the area of the fire and there are no injuries. At this time, the fire is under control and crews are working to extinguish hot spots and perform overhaul," fire officials said in a statement released at noon.

Deputy Fire Chief Kenny Poole said there is a large pond about a mile away from which firefighters drew water because there aren't fire hydrants in the area.

At 1 p.m., fire officials said firefighters still had to extinguish hot spots before fire marshal's investigators can get into the scene.

Marty Rochlin, director of Camp Airy, said the campers followed procedures and are all safe. He said the camp is working to carry on activities as normal as possible.

Video below: Watch the official news conference in its entirety

"I'm just thankful for campers and staff for following procedures this morning when the fire did happen," Rochlin said.

Despite the destruction, camp officials said they are convinced the camp will be able to continue operations this summer.

"We have short-term dining plans in place and there are things are being planned from our team, our year-round Baltimore team," Rochlin said.

camp airy fire
Frederick County Fire Department

In a statement released earlier in the morning, the camp said, "While it's too early to tell the extent of the damage, we wanted to advise everyone that all campers, counselors and staff are safe and accounted for. No one was injured in the event."

The camp said it is relocating meal service and activities.

The historic camp is at the edge of the Catoctin Mountain Park and about 20 miles from the Camp David presidential retreat. For 100 years, it has been a popular destination for Jewish participants.

"It's bittersweet. This is a building most of us grew up in," Rochlin said. Thankfully, it's just a building ... camp is the people."

Officials would not disclose how many students are attending this camp session, which began Sunday.

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