Photos: Firefighters Battle Five-Alarm Blaze in Downtown Baltimore

Crews launched a defensive operation as it was too dangerous to enter the two four-story buildings and a smaller one that collapsed.

Sept. 3, 2025

2 min read

Chevall Pryce

Howard County Times, Columbia, Md.

(TNS)

Sep. 2—Baltimore firefighters are battling a five-alarm fire in a building at the intersection of North Howard Street and West Fayette Street on Tuesday, according to the Baltimore City Fire Department.

Crews worked to contain the blaze by fighting it from the outside, a department spokesperson said at the scene, adding that it was too dangerous to send firefighters into the building since the fire was not under control.

The fire started around 3:05 p.m. at Fayette Tower, fire officials said. Three structures have been affected, including two four-story buildings and one smaller building that collapsed.

Firefighters are trying to keep the fire from spreading further. Officials said all affected buildings were vacant, so there were no evacuations.

The Maryland Transit Administration shut down the light rail in the vicinity of the fire with train service suspended between Patapsco and Falls Road. Commuters were told to use shuttle buses between the stations. The CityLink Red was detoured between Fayette Street and Liberty Street.

The Baltimore City Office of Emergency Management told residents to avoid Howard Street from Baltimore Street to West Saratoga Street.

There were no injuries reported.

The cause of the blaze is unknown, officials said Tuesday. The investigation is being handled by ATF and Baltimore Police's arson division.

Originally Published: September 2, 2025 at 3:57 PM EDT