Cause of Friday fire in Funkstown discovered

Gosnell said the fire broke out at 334 E. Oak Ridge Drive Friday at around 7:30 p.m. when the Crampton family was away.

Flames quickly spread up the north wall and to the roof of the two-story building, he said.

The roof was quickly engulfed in flames and collapsed, he said.

"Although the home was equipped with sprinklers on the first and second floors, the fire began in an inaccessible wall and spread up to and throughout the attic, thus avoiding the sprinkler systems," Gosnell said.

Gosnell said sprinkler systems are not mandated but are recommended by the fire marshal. They are designed to save lives by protecting residents during an escape, but not to extinguish a two-alarm fire, he said.

Crampton's 6,077-square-foot brick house in Funkstown was built in 2000 on a 43-acre parcel. A passerby saw flames and called 911.

Crampton is president of Paul Crampton Contractors, which built the South Pointe development on Oak Ridge Drive. He could not be reached for comment.

About 100 firefighters from Funkstown and surrounding communities battled the two-alarm blaze that destroyed the home. They brought the fire under control by 9 p.m.

There were no injures in the blaze.

Gosnell said firefighters had difficulty battling the fire because of the 20- to 30-degree temperatures and a scarcity of available water.