Multiple Incidents Involving Fire, Hazardous Materials Reported In Worcester County Over the Last Week
Hazardous Materials Incident Following Crash
Berlin, MD — On Monday, January 26, 2026, at approximately 11:00 a.m., the
Berlin Volunteer Fire Company was alerted for a reported motor vehicle accident
involving a tractor trailer on the 10300 block of Ocean Gateway (U.S. Route 50)
near the Maryland State Highway Administration facility.
Initial reports indicated a tractor trailer had overturned and may have been
carrying hazardous materials. Fire and rescue units from Showell Volunteer Fire
Company were dispatched to assist, and the Worcester County Hazardous
Materials Team was requested due to the nature of the incident.
First-arriving fire units found a tractor trailer on its side in a ditch with diesel fuel
leaking from the vehicle’s saddle tanks. The driver had self-extricated and was
being evaluated and treated by Berlin EMS.
Further investigation determined the trailer was transporting approximately 9,700
gallons of refrigerated liquid natural gas (LNG). Hazardous Materials personnel
began continuous monitoring for leaks and conducted a pump-off operation of
leaking diesel fuel from the tractor’s saddle tanks.
Due to the cargo involved, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE)
Emergency Response Division was notified and responded to the scene.
Additional agencies assisting included the Maryland State Police, Worcester
County Department of Emergency Services, Ocean City Emergency
Management, Maryland State Highway Administration, along with Berlin
Volunteer Fire and EMS and the Worcester County Hazardous Materials Team.
The Worcester County Hazmat team is comprised of volunteer members from all
ten Worcester County volunteer fire departments including career staffing from
Worcester County and Ocean City Fire Marshal’s offices along with Emergency
Services.
After consultation with MDE ERD, the trucking company, the natural gas carrier,
and subject matter experts on scene, officials determined the safest course of
action was to upright the tractor trailer and remove it from the ditch. This
operation required extensive coordination between all parties involved. The
tractor trailer was successfully returned to an upright position and towed to a
secure storage facility where its contents will be offloaded at a later time.
The entire operation lasted over 12 hours, with responders working under cold
and challenging conditions. Westbound Ocean Gateway in the immediate area
remained closed for the duration of the incident.
No serious injuries were reported.
Burn Injury Investigation
Berlin, MD —On Sunday, January 25, 2026, at approximately 12:30 p.m., Berlin
Emergency Medical Services was alerted for a report of burn-related injuries in
the 10200 block of Old Ocean Boulevard in Berlin.
Due to the nature of the incident, Deputies from the Worcester County Fire
Marshal’s Office were requested to respond. The patient, an adult male was
transported by Berlin EMS to TidalHealth Peninsula Regional Medical Center in
Salisbury with non-life-threatening injuries.
The investigation determined the injuries occurred when the individual was
smoking while using home oxygen, resulting in a fire and subsequent burn
injuries.
The Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office reminds residents that smoking
while using home oxygen is extremely dangerous and poses a serious risk of fire
and injury. Oxygen-enriched environments can cause materials to ignite more
easily and burn more intensely. Individuals using home oxygen should strictly
follow safety guidelines and keep all ignition sources well away from oxygen
equipment.
Residential Structure Fire Investigation
Ocean Pines, MD —On Sunday, January 25, 2026, at approximately 11:00 a.m.,
the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Company was alerted for a reported residential
structure fire in the 10 block of Mates Court in Ocean Pines.
Fire units from the Ocean City, Berlin, Showell, and Bishopville Volunteer Fire
Companies responded to assist. First-arriving fire units reported smoke and fire
showing from the interior of the dwelling. The fire was quickly contained and
extinguished by responding crews.
Deputies from the Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office conducted an origin
and cause investigation and determined the fire originated in a loft area. The fire
has been classified as accidental, electrical in nature.
Fire units remained on the scene for approximately two hours. No injuries were
reported.
Commercial Structure Fire Investigation
Ocean City, MD — On Sunday, January 25, 2026, at approximately 11:00 a.m.,
the Ocean City Fire Department was alerted for a reported commercial structure
fire at Pizza Tugo’s, located on Stephen Decatur Highway in Ocean City.
First-arriving fire units reported a kitchen fire involving a deep fryer. The fire was
quickly contained and extinguished. Fire units from the Berlin Volunteer Fire
Company responded to assist.
Deputies from the Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office responded to conduct
an origin and cause investigation. Due to the involvement of a commercial
kitchen, the Worcester County Health Department was also notified.
The investigation determined a fire originated in the kitchen from cooking
equipment resulting in minor damage. The fire has been classified as accidental.
Fire units remained on the scene for approximately one hour. No injuries were
reported.
Commercial Structure Fire Investigation
Berlin, MD — On Friday, January 23, 2026, at approximately 10:00 p.m., the
Berlin Volunteer Fire Company was alerted for a reported fire alarm activation at
a commercial property located in the 600 block of Franklin Avenue in Berlin.
Upon arrival, first-arriving fire units observed smoke extending from the
commercial structure, prompting the incident to be upgraded to a commercial
structure fire. Fire units from Ocean Pines, Ocean City, Showell, and Newark
Volunteer Fire Companies responded to assist.
The fire was quickly located and contained by responding crews. Deputies from
the Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office were requested to conduct an origin
and cause investigation. The investigation determined the fire originated on the
first floor in a mechanical area. The fire has been classified as accidental in
nature.
No injuries were reported. Fire units remained on the scene for approximately
three hours assisting with suppression and overhaul operations.
Outside Fire Investigation
Snow Hill, MD — On Friday, January 23, 2026, the Snow Hill Volunteer Fire
Company was alerted for a reported outside fire in the 5700 block of Castle Hill
Road in Snow Hill.
First-arriving fire units reported a small brush and woods fire that was extending
toward a nearby vehicle. The fire was quickly extinguished by responding crews.
Deputies from the Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office conducted an origin
and cause investigation and determined the fire ignited from hot ashes from a
wood-burning stove that were improperly discarded. The fire has been classified
as accidental.
No injuries were reported. Fire units remained on the scene for approximately
one hour.
The Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office reminds residents that ashes from
wood-burning stoves and fireplaces can retain heat for extended periods of time
and should be placed only in approved metal containers, stored away from
combustible materials, and allowed to cool completely before disposal.
Structure Fire Investigation
Berlin, MD — On Friday, January 23, 2026, the Berlin Volunteer Fire Company
was alerted for a reported fire in the 7500 block of Purnell Crossing Road in
Berlin.
Fire units from the Powellville, Showell, and Newark Volunteer Fire Companies
responded to assist. First-arriving units reported a 12-by-12-foot shed well
involved in fire, with extension into surrounding brush and trees. The fire was
quickly contained and extinguished by responding crews.
Deputies from the Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office conducted an origin
and cause investigation and determined the fire originated from an outdoor
controlled burn that extended to the nearby shed. The fire has been classified as
accidental.
The Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office reminds residents that all controlled
burns must be constantly attended, with careful consideration given to wind
conditions and changing weather. Individuals conducting outdoor burns should
ensure they have adequate means readily available to extinguish the fire if
conditions change or the fire begins to spread.
Fire units remained on the scene for approximately two hours. No injuries were
reported.
Residential Structure Fire Investigation
Berlin, MD — On Saturday, January 24, 2026, at approximately 6:30 a.m., the
Berlin Volunteer Fire Company was alerted for a reported residential structure fire
in the 11100 block of Griffin Road in Berlin.
First-arriving fire units reported a well-involved single-family residential structure
fire. All occupants of the residence had self-evacuated prior to the arrival of the fire
service.
Fire units from Showell, Ocean Pines, Ocean City, Bishopville, Willards, Newark,
and Powellville Volunteer Fire Companies responded and assisted with the
extinguishment of the fire.
Deputies from the Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office were requested to
conduct an origin and cause investigation. The investigation determined that the
fire originated from the ventilation system of a wood-burning stove.
No injuries were reported as a result of the incident. Fire units remained on the
scene for approximately four hours assisting with suppression and overhaul
operations.
The Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office reminds residents that wood-burning
stoves and associated venting systems must be properly installed, maintained, and
kept clear of combustible materials to reduce the risk of fire.
Additional Military UXO Recovered on Assateague
Assateague Island, MD — On Thursday, January 22, 2026, the Worcester
County Fire Marshal’s Office was contacted by the National Park Service at
Assateague Island National Seashore regarding another suspected unexploded
military ordnance located on the north beach area of the seashore.
Deputies from the Fire Marshal’s Office responded along with bomb technicians
from the Ocean City Fire Department Bomb Squad to secure the area and
evaluate the device. The item was examined and x-rayed on scene, with
diagnostic information forwarded to United States Air Force Explosive Ordnance
Disposal (EOD) personnel from Dover Air Force Base for technical assessment.
The incident was safely mitigated in coordination with responding agencies.
Deputies remained on the scene for approximately two hours.
This incident represents another occurrence in a series of unexploded military
ordnance recoveries associated with Assateague Island, an area historically
used for military training. The frequency of these responses continues to place
significant demands on local, state, and federal resources and underscores the
ongoing public safety concern presented by these discoveries.
The Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office reminds visitors that any suspected
military or unfamiliar object should not be touched or disturbed. Individuals are
urged to maintain a safe distance and immediately notify park personnel or call
911.