December 14, 2011
By: Jana Bell
One Maryland homeowner may be filing both auto and home insurance claims after a fire at his home destroyed both the house and a collection of antique vehicles.
Local news reports say it took dozens of firefighters hours to contain the Joppa, Maryland, blaze which started Monday night. The residents were home at the time, but no one was hurt.
The state fire marshal’s office estimated that the structure was a total loss with roughly $500,000 in damage. However, the loss of 13 vehicles, including multiple antique sports cars, brought the total estimate to $1.5 million. Officials said it's likely that the fire started at the garage, although a cause hasn't been determined.
"Currently, based on burn patterns and witness statements and statements from the fire department, [the garage] is what we are looking at for a preliminary origin," Deputy Chief Mark Bilger told WMAR-TV.
The homeowners told the station that they do have sufficient insurance coverage. They added they have already begun repurchasing some of the holiday presents which were inside the home at the time.
For more about residential house fires you can visit: CDC Fire Prevention
Related Home Insurance Articles:
- NOAA predicts near-normal Eastern Pacific hurricane season May 25, 2012
- Safety officials call attention to home sprinkler system regulations May 24, 2012
- Thousands of St. Louis insurance claims cite recent hail damage May 22, 2012
- Tropical Storm Alberto changes course away from Carolinas May 21, 2012
- California tops the nation in dog bite claims May 17, 2012
