Firefighter Injured Battling Blaze At Annapolis Law Office
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- A law office in Annapolis caught on fire early Monday morning.
The Annapolis Fire Department was called to the 100 block of Duke of Gloucester around 4:15 a.m. after several area residents called 911 about a fire.
The three-story historic building had heavy fire on all three floors.
Peppy Lee saw the fire as he was arriving to work at Saint Anne's Parish across the street, and was one of the first to call 911.
"It was like, oh my God, it was so, the flames were so intense in the back." said Peppy Lee.
The fire began to spread so Lee made sure neighbors who lived next door were safely evacuated.
"God had me here for a reason, at least everybody will have a good Thanksgiving." Lee said.
Eight residents in the neighboring building were evacuated. The fire was under control by 5:30 a.m.
But for Bill Ferris, who has owned and operated his law offices out of 196 Duke of Gloucester Street since 1991.
"That was my office." He said.
All he could do was watch as firefighters sifted through soot-covered debris, hoping something was salvageable.
"See these windows that are blown out? That was my office, so I'd love to know if anything is left in there." He added.
One firefighter was injured battling the blaze.
City building inspectors were also dispatched to the scene to determine if it's structurally sound and habitable.
Duke of Gloucester will remain closed while the cause and origin of the fire is under investigation.
Due to fire activity, Duke of Gloucester St is closed from Church Circle to Conduit St. Main St is also closed from Green St to Church Circle.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.