Six years ago today, the Sykesville-Freedom District Fire Department suffered the loss of its social hall and living/administrative areas following a collapse and natural gas-fed fire.

Three feet of snow on the roof of the social hall from the "Snowmageddon" storm of 2010 caused the collapse of the roof, which in turn sheared off the natural gas supply to the building. Firefighters were unable to access the meter to shut off the gas, which eventually found an ignition source, sparking the fire.

The fire of February 11, 2010 set in motion a chain of events that has resulted in a new, state-of-the-art facility for the fire department, including an expanded apparatus bay, new bunk rooms and living space for crews, and a larger administrative area. The department now also boasts Legacy Hall, the premiere banquet facility in South Carroll.

Through it all, the men and women of the SFDFD have never wavered from their mission of providing quality emergency response service to the residents of Sykesville and Eldersburg. May it al