EAST NEW MARKET, Md. — Fire damaged a one-story wood-frame single-family home at 5646 Belle Aire Road early Monday, displacing five residents, officials said.
The East New Market Volunteer Fire Department received the call at 4:29 a.m. November 24, 2025. Approximately 50 firefighters from multiple companies responded to the single-alarm blaze and brought it under control in 15 minutes.
The occupant discovered the fire in the laundry room and escaped unharmed after the home’s smoke alarm activated. A residential sprinkler system was present and activated during the incident.
No injuries were reported. Damage is estimated at $50,000 to the structure and $15,000 to the contents.
The homeowner is identified as Shawn Leffler. The American Red Cross is providing assistance to the five displaced residents.
The preliminary cause remains under investigation by the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The area of origin has been isolated to the laundry room.
The East New Market Volunteer Fire Department served as the primary responding agency. Mutual aid was provided by surrounding departments in Dorchester County, though specific assisting companies were not immediately released.
No arrests have been made, and nothing at the scene indicates criminal activity.
The property at 5646 Belle Aire Road is located in a rural residential area of northern Dorchester County, approximately three miles south of the town of East New Market and near the intersection of Secretary-East New Market Road.
Volunteer fire companies in Dorchester County, including East New Market, Hurlock, Secretary, Linkwood-Salem, and Vienna, regularly train together and rely on automatic mutual aid agreements for structure fires. The rapid 15-minute control time reflects standing response protocols for the region.
The American Red Cross Delmarva Chapter maintains a rapid-response team for the Mid-Shore counties and routinely provides emergency lodging, clothing, food, and comfort kits to families displaced by home fires.
This incident marks at least the fourth reported residential structure fire in Dorchester County during the month of November 2025, according to preliminary records maintained by the county’s emergency services communications center.
Residents are reminded to test smoke alarms monthly, replace batteries at least once a year, and develop a home escape plan with two ways out of every room.
Additional details will be released as the investigation progresses.