On Sunday, September 6, 2026, at 3:42 pm, the Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company, along with multiple automatic mutual aid fire companies, was dispatched to the structure fire at 329 Cannon Street – Brian’s Best Café & Pastries. Multiple 9-1-1 callers were reporting an active fire, with at least one occupant having to escape the fire building by jumping from a second-floor window.
First arriving fire suppression units were confronted with heavy fire involving the left side of the primary fire building, which included a 100% fully involved automobile. Due to the heavy volume of fire, extreme radiant heat had ignited the cedar shake shingles on exposure across the alleyway. (An exposure is defined as any structure or property, not considered part of the original fire building, but is immediately threatened, typically because of “extreme” radiant heat, as it was with this case.) The exposure is part of a multi-unit townhouse type structure, historic in nature.
Being historic, the construction is considered “balloon” in nature, meaning the vertical studs can run from the foundation to the roof. Another characteristic of historic buildings of this nature are common attics that run across the entire structures. Thus, was also the case here.
Also involved was extensive, heavy duty electrical services supporting the primary fire building, along with a utility pole supporting community/ neighborhood electrical distribution wires, telephone cable, and fiber optics for local internet and other cable services. The electrical service was popping and shorting within the volume of fire and was also shorting out up on the utility pole. The introduction of an electrical hazard on an incident of this nature adds another layer of risk. The injudicious application of water allows the possibility of electrocution. Crews were able to get the fire in / around the fire “knocked down” without that happening.
When the cedar shake shingles began to burn, the fire quickly engulfed the entire exposed wall, running up to the roof. Here the fire penetrated the common attic and was beginning to run the length of the structure. Thanks to quick work by Chestertown VFC crews, supported by mutual aid crews from Church Hill VFC and Crumpton VFC, an aggressive interior attack was mounted. Hand Lines (fire hoses) were stretched inside to the second floor. Using hooks, the ceiling was pulled and water immediately applied to extinguish the fire in the attic.
At 5:37 pm, nearly two hours after the initial dispatch, the fire was placed Under Control. Crews spent the next (approximately) 90 minutes mopping up hot spots.
The fire marshal was requested. The Maryland State Fire Marshals Office has dispatched a team. They responded and began an Origin & Cause investigation. That result had not been released as of this writing. For further information, contact the Maryland Fire Marshal’s Office.
There were two injuries. The first patient was the occupant who jumped from a second-floor window to escape. This individual sustained serious leg injuries and was transported to the University of Maryland, Shore Medical Center at Chestertown for treatment. Their condition is not known as of this writing. The second patient was evaluated at the scene for Smoke Inhalation. Again, their condition is not currently known.
Four residents of the directly affected townhouse have been displaced. They are being assisted by the American Red Cross.
Delmarva Power was notified. Working from their control room in Newark, Delaware, using remote, Smart Technology, they turned the electric off to the entire Downtown Chestertown District. As there were some initial thoughts the electric would be off for an extended period, this created a concern for those merchants providing food service…. Regarding the safety of their unprepared food inventory. As it developed, the concern was unfounded. Once Delmarva Power trouble workers arrived, they worked diligently to physically isolate the neighborhood surrounding the fire location. After that, power was restored to downtown, but there were a few quick, temporary outages as repairs were being completed.
Of major concern was the interruption of internet and related services. Unfortunately, the utility pole involved was a major hub hosting fiber optic cables, critical for supporting internet and data services. Along with Delmarva Power workers, crews were on scene looking to begin repairs of the fiber optics and related equipment. At this writing (late Sunday night) it was unknown when service would be restored.
We would like to take a moment to express our gratitude to Domino’s Pizza. They graciously donated 15 pizzas, which were waiting for us back at the fire station. Much appreciated since most of our members had missed their dinner.
There was an initial report on Social Media this fire escalated to three alarms. That is patently incorrect. Officially, this was a two-alarm fire, with a “Special Call” for four additional engines.
Here is a listing of all that responded to help.
Companies & Organizations:
Kent County, Maryland
Chestertown VFC
Millington VFC (Community Fire Company of Millington)
Galena VFC
Kennedyville VFC
Betterton VFC
Rock Hall VFC
K&QA Rescue Squad
Queen Annes County
Church Hill VFC
Crumpton VFC
Sudlersville VFC
Good Will (Centreville VFC)
Queenstown VFC
Grasonville VFC
Cecil County
Cecilton VFC
Hacks Point VFC
Kent County, Delaware
Clayton VFC
Hartly VFC
Marydel VFC
New Castle County, Delaware
Townsend VFC
Middletown VFC (Volunteer Hose of Middletown)
Our most sincere Thank You to Townsend and Middletown. These two companies provided “Fill In / Cover Up” at our fire station during this incident. While seemingly boring and monotonous, Standing By for another company is an extremely important role. While an entire fire company is committed to an incident, any incident, other companies are sent to Stand-By in their steed, in case there is another fire or incident requiring an emergency response.
The total personnel response to this fire was 90 firefighters.
Chestertown Police Department
Kent Couty Sheriffs Office
Maryland State Fire Marshals
Delmarva Power
Town of Chestertown – Street Department, Utilities & Town Manager
