| On the evening of Tuesday, May 12, 2026, units from the New Windsor Fire Department responded to assist the Winfield Fire Department with a large barn fire in the 2600 block of Braddock Road in Carroll County. Initial reports indicated a fully involved agricultural structure with heavy fire conditions visible from a distance.
First arriving units encountered a one-story barn approximately 150 feet by 50 feet in size that was heavily involved with fire upon arrival. Command (Chief 1- Russo) immediately established defensive operations due to the advanced fire conditions and the collapse hazard presented by the structure. Crews confirmed all occupants were safely out of the building and that no animals were inside the barn at the time of the incident.
The fire involved a significant amount of hay and straw stored within the structure, creating challenging conditions for firefighters and requiring extensive water supply operations. During firefighting operations, the roof of the barn collapsed, prompting command to transition crews away from handline operations and utilize aerial master streams to safely contain the fire.
Multiple tankers and additional mutual aid units were requested to support the prolonged operations. Firefighters worked for several hours to extinguish the main body of fire and overhaul remaining hot spots. Specialized equipment, including a grapple skid steer, was brought to the scene to assist crews with overhaul operations and the removal of burning hay and debris.
Members from the New Windsor Fire Department assisted with fire suppression, water supply, overhaul, and scene support operations alongside numerous mutual aid departments from Carroll, Frederick and Howard counties.
Please remember to use caution and remain alert when traveling near emergency scenes and to never drive over fire hoses or through active incident areas. |
