Sykesville Fire Department responded with Gamber, Winfield and West Friendship fire departments to a report of a house on fire across the street in the 1000 block of Courtland Drive at 2:22 this afternoon. Chief 12 arrived to find fire showing from the front of the house with all occupants accounted for and out of the house. Additional resources from Reese were requested for a working fire dispatch as well as calls for BGE and the Maryland State Fire Marshal.

Sykesville’s Engine 123 crew made an aggressive attack on the fire and had the bulk of the fire extinguished within 15 minutes of the call being dispatched. Sykesville’s crew continued extinguish the remaining fire with the assistance from Gamber and Winfield fire departments. The fire was contained to the upper floor and attic areas.

The family asked to search for their family’s two pet cats that were believed to be in the back bedroom during the fire. Firefighters from Gamber performed a search for the cats and were able to find both cats alive and in good, but very scared condition. Both cats were safely brought out to the awaiting family.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The house did have working smoke detectors.