The Frederick County Sheriff's Office has issued a preliminary report that a self-inflicted gunshot killed the man found at the scene of a fire Monday in the 14600 block of Black Ankle Road, near the Carroll County line.
The sheriff's office said the investigation indicates Thomas R. Baker Sr. set fire to his house and a barn before taking his own life.
Marc E. McNeal, bureau chief of the Frederick County Office of the Fire Marshal, issued an investigation report that lists one death and one firefighter injury at the scene. Damage to structures was estimated at $200,000 and $50,000 to contents.
Firefighters responded to a report of a barn fire at about 4:30 p.m., McNeal said. Upon arrival, they found a 100-by-50 barn engulfed in flames.
Sheriff's Capt. Tim Clarke said firefighters saw a man with a gun enter the nearby woods. Baker's body was later found in the woods.
Firefighters were told the barn held old automobiles, motorcycles and gasoline, McNeal said. Shortly after arrival, firefighters discovered a house about 100 feet from the barn also on fire, McNeal said.
Melissa Schulte, marketing director for Black Ankle Vineyards, said she called 911 after customers reported seeing smoke "just beyond our treeline."
Schulte said she saw it when she went outside.
"It was huge," she said.
She was concerned the fire might be on her property when she called Frederick County Emergency Communications.
Firefighters from Frederick and Carroll counties responded. Fire trucks and personnel lined Black Ankle Road east and west of the fire, preventing through traffic.
"They were using Black Ankle Vineyards as a turn-around," Schulte said.
Carroll County firefighters were pumping fresh water from ponds east of the fire. Schulte said the fire seemed to be under control in 90 minutes.
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