Maryland Chicken House Inferno That Lit Up Night Sky Ruled Arson, Officials Say

By Zak Failla From Daily Voice

A massive Dorchester County chicken house fire that tore through a farm building earlier this week has been ruled arson, investigators announced Thursday.

According to the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office, the blaze broke out around 9:37 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, at a 500-foot-by-40-foot chicken house on Cokesbury Road in Rhodesdale.

The building, owned by Hadyat Mazhar, was already engulfed when crews arrived, officials said.

It took 60 firefighters from the Eldorado Brookview Volunteer Fire Department and surrounding companies about 90 minutes to bring the two-alarm fire under control.

After follow-up investigation, Deputy State Fire Marshals determined the fire was intentionally set.

Investigators are now asking anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area — or who has residential security camera footage from the time of the fire — to contact them.

“Any little bit of information and additional video footage may assist investigators in determining who was responsible for setting this fire,” the Fire Marshal’s Office said.

Tips can be shared by calling 410-713-3780 or the Arson Hotline at 1-800-492-7529. Callers may remain anonymous.

A reward of up to $5,000 is available for information leading to an arrest and conviction.