Fire leaves heavy damage at Frederick County home

A fire Monday in the basement of a home at 158 Stephenson Road in Frederick County left $70,000 in damage and forced four juveniles to flee the burning structure.

Officials with the Frederick County Fire and Rescue Department said in a news release that all four escaped unharmed thanks to what they described as the "quick thinking of the older boys." They discovered the fire after noticing smoke coming from floor vents on the first floor.

Authorities said the fire was "knocked down" about 45 minutes after crews arrived, but many repairs must be completed before the single story home will be fit to live in again.

The fire was reported shortly after 11 a.m., and crews arrived to find the fire burning in the basement. American Red Cross officials reported in a news release that it was helping five adults and five children who lived at the house with financial assistance for meals, clothing and hotel lodging.

Fire and rescue units from Clear Brook, Greenwood, Millwood, Round Hill, Gainesboro and a battalion from Frederick County helped control the blaze.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.