The Maryland State Fire Marshal is investigating another in a series of fires to hit the abandoned Henryton State Hospital Center in Sykesville.

Sykesville firefighters received the call around 4:30 PM on Saturday afternoon, April 14, for smoke in the area of Henryton Road. Sykesville's Brush 125 arrived in the area to discover fire through the roof of an old administration building on the hospital grounds, and the full fire assignment was quickly requested.

Because of the history of suspicious fires at the complex, and the dangerous nature of the long-abandoned buildings, it is the policy of the Sykesville-Freedom District Fire Department to conduct a strictly defensive, outside fire operation, unless it is determined that someone is inside the building requiring rescue.

Firefighters therefore set up a strategy utilizing master streams from Sykesville's Tower 12 and Howard County's Truck 2 from Ellicott City. Engines, tankers and other support units from across Carroll, Howard, Baltimore and Frederick counties were dispatched to the scene to provide the water supply for the operation, utilizing hydrants and the nearby Patapsco River.

It took firefighters approximately 2 1/2 hours to control the fire. There were no injuries. It is estimated that over 48,000 gallons of water were used in the operation.

The Sykesville-Freedom District Fire Department has made repeated requests to the state of Maryland, which owns the complex, to raze the site, or at least erect a fence or other barrier around the property. At this time, the property continues to be unsecured, remaining a hazard to not only public safety, but to the general public as well. Another request will be made of state officials to address what continues to be a dangerous site.