City Announces All Fires Are Contained

Laurel has been cleared of the wind-fueled fires that swept through the region Saturday, city officials announced late last night.

In a statement issued by the city, Mayor Craig A. Moe announced that Laurel was clear of danger and that the two fires that broke out Saturday at Laurel Mall and at a mulch plant just outside the city have been contained.  I-95 and all roads that were closed due to the fires reopened Saturday night, he said.

Area firefighters went into double duty Saturday as multiple fires swept through the region due to high winds.  But the fire at the mulch plant proved to be the most difficult as it quickly spread into a brush fire in the immediate area, where it abutted I-95 causing its closure for several hours.  The city, at one point, was considering evacuating residents from the area, which includes newer housing developments and a large retirement community.  By mid-day Saturday, a Prince George's County Fire/EMS official said the mulch fire was burning "out of control."

By 8 p.m. last night, traffic along Route 1, 198, and 216 remained backed up for miles as drivers tried to find alternative routes around I-95.  Along Route 1 leading into Beltsville, heavy smoke blew into the roadway slowing traffic.  By 10 p.m., I-95 has reopened but heavy smoke from the mulch fire could still be seen over the highway.

Fires wreaked havoc through much of the region yesterday. As blazes broke out, firefighters scrambled to keep up with calls for service.   In Prince George's, all off-duty firefighters were called back to work Saturday afternoon to help fight fires  in Clinton, Hyattsville and Aquasco. 

No injuries were reported during the fires.