UPDATE: Mardela fire causes estimated $2 million in damage, cause under investigation

1/30 UPDATE: Fire marshals say they cannot rule out this fire spreading from a nearby pile of trash that was legally burned the day before.

We’re told employees of the farm noticed that the controlled burn of the trash reignited the day of the fire, and a short time later winds increased in the direction of the buildings, causing nearby brush and natural cover to ignite and spread to the buildings.

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2:30 p.m. UPDATE: Deputy State Fire Marshals are at the scene investigating this fire.

We’re told the blaze broke out shortly before 12:30 p.m. at a farm in the 8300 block of Ahtol Road. 50 firefighters responded to the 2-alarm fire, which took over two hours to control.

Several hot spots throughout the scene are currently being extinguished. The cause remains under investigation.

Total damage has been estimated at approximately $2 million.

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MARDELA SPRINGS, Md. – A portion of Athol Road in Wicomico County is currently closed due to a natural cover fire.

Details are limited at this time. The road is closed from E. Hurley’s Neck Road to Baptist Church Road. Multiple fire departments are at the scene, including Hebron, Mardela, Sharptown, West Side, and Delmar. The Hebron Volunteer Fire Department says the fire involves tractor trailers, structures, pallets, and other items.

Motorists are urged to avoid the area if possible.