Firefighters battle five-alarm blaze in vacant Baltimore building

In the afternoon of September 2, 2025, a significant fire broke out in a vacant building located in downtown Baltimore, Maryland. The Baltimore City Fire Department reported that the fire rapidly escalated to five alarms due to its intensity. By 4:30 p.m., the situation led to the collapse of one building and ignited flames that spread to two additional connected structures. Fire crews initiated an exterior attack to manage the flames, employing ladder pipes and large monitor pipes as they assessed the situation from the outside. City officials confirmed that all three affected buildings were presumed to be vacant, but firefighters were unable to enter due to instability concerns. Public safety was a priority during this incident, with Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott urging residents to avoid the area to facilitate firefighting efforts and ensure public safety. The response involved numerous city and state agencies, including the Baltimore Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which began an investigation into the cause of the fire, as arson was suspected based on preliminary assessments. Transit systems also faced significant disruptions with the Maryland Transit Administration announcing the suspension of Light Rail services between specific stations. The community was alerted through various channels, asking the public to be cautious due to smoke and flames emanating from the site. Throughout the ongoing firefighting efforts, no injuries have been reported, highlighting an effective response by emergency personnel amidst the unfolding crisis.