MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. — A large fire broke out Wednesday night at the historic Harewood House in Sandy Spring, drawing around 75 firefighters to the scene. The house, which dates back over 230 years and once belonged to a U.S. Secretary of State, was unoccupied at the time of the blaze.
Montgomery County Fire & Rescue spokesperson Pete Piringer confirmed there were no injuries, but said the two-story farmhouse sustained significant damage. He shared updates and photos on X (formerly Twitter), showing the mansion engulfed in flames and the aftermath once crews brought the fire under control.
Located 4,000 to 5,000 feet off Olney-Sandy Spring Road, the property sits in a non-hydrant area, which made firefighting efforts more challenging.
Built between 1793 and 1794, Harewood House holds historic significance in Maryland’s Quaker history. It was purchased in 1925 by Dean Acheson, a Washington, D.C. lawyer who later became Secretary of State under President Harry S. Truman in 1949. Acheson played a critical role in shaping U.S. foreign policy during the early Cold War, contributing to post-WWII recovery in Europe and helping establish NATO. He passed away in Sandy Spring in 1971 at age 78.
Piringer also noted the home’s proximity to other historic sites, including the Sandy Spring Friends Meetinghouse and the Underground Railroad Trail.
