I-95 South shut down after fire at Fort McHenry Tunnel
- A substantial fire erupted at Camp Small, a lumberyard in Baltimore, disrupting local traffic and classes.
- No injuries or evacuations were reported, but classes were canceled at two nearby schools as a precaution.
- Firefighters continued to tackle the blaze throughout the night while monitoring other fire incidents in the city.
On December 5, 2024, a significant fire broke out at a city-operated lumberyard known as Camp Small in Baltimore, Maryland. The blaze began around 5:20 p.m. and extended into the night, presenting challenges for firefighters due to strong winds that exacerbated the situation. Local authorities, led by Baltimore City Fire Department Chief James Wallace, reported that the fire originated from a large pile of tree logs or wood debris, igniting rapidly and causing flames to tower above the treetops. Despite the escalating fire, officials confirmed that no injuries or evacuations were necessary, citing the fire's distance from nearby schools. In response to the incident, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and Western High School canceled classes for Friday, December 6, as a precaution even though their buildings remained safe at over a mile distance. Additionally, portions of Interstate 83 were closed due to the fire, impacting traffic flow in the area. Firefighters worked tirelessly to get the situation under control, with Chief Wallace stating that they were beginning to gain the upper hand as of late evening. The incident at Camp Small was compounded by another concerning event earlier that morning, where a fuel spill from a crash led to the closure of I-95 South at the Fort McHenry Tunnel, causing significant traffic delays in Baltimore. These events illustrate the ongoing challenges posed by urban infrastructure and natural hazards, particularly how sudden fires can disrupt daily life and safety in a city. Local residents were urged to remain vigilant and stay clear of affected areas, while city officials coordinated the response efforts to manage the situation effectively. As of late Thursday night, firefighters anticipated continuing their work into the following day to ensure the fire was fully extinguished and that nearby structures remained protected from any further threat. Baltimore's firefighting resources faced increased pressure not only from the lumberyard blaze but also from other smaller fires occurring throughout the city, demonstrating the strain on emergency services during such incidents.