Candle Starts Two-Alarm Maryland Blaze

LAYHILL, Md. (AP) -- A candle left unattended is responsible for a two-alarm townhouse fire early Thursday.

``The candle ignited curtains and other materials in the master bedroom,'' said Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesman Pete Piringer.

The fire started around 4:45 a.m. in the 2300 block of London Bridge Dr., in Layhill, Md., at the Longmeade Crossings development.

A 19-year-old was hospitalized for treatment of minor burns and smoke inhalation. ``It's believed he was trying to put the fire out,'' said Piringer.

A working smoke detector in the home is being credited for alerting family members of the fire. Damage was estimated at about $150,000.