Damage

City public works crews are still working to determine the extent of problems from a sinkhole on East Monument Street, just east of Johns Hopkins Hospital, where residents and businesses are expected to be without natural gas for weeks. A six-inch water main broke at the 2300 block of East Monument Street between Bradford and Montford within the existing sinkhole that left least 15 businesses and second-story apartments without natural gas service on Wednesday. Discharge from the broken main increased the collapse, causing 60 units between 2322 and 2342 East Monument Street to lose water until Sunday, according to a department of public works statement.

The Carroll County Sheriff's Office said thieves struck the Northbrook neighborhood of Hampstead early on Sunday, Sept. 23, taking more than $1,300 worth of electronics, change, jewelry and other valuables from unlocked vehicles. According to the report from the Sheriff's Office, more than 50 unlocked cars parked in driveways along Broadmoor and Glenside Court, Woldholme, Allview and Schaefer drives were struck. Other damage included a slashed car tire and convertible jeep top. In addition, several vehicles were pushed from their driveway, including one that traveled across the street and struck a tree.

A one-alarm kitchen fire caused $75,000 in damage to a Kings Contrivance townhouse Monday night while the residents were away, Howard fire and rescue officials said.At 7:13 p.m., firefighters responded to the blaze in the Beechs Farm development in the 7200 block of Eden Brook Drive. Investigators said the fire started when paper towels in the kitchen area made contact with a hot stove burner.The fire spread from the kitchen to the hallway and dining room, said Sgt. Bob Wiseman, a fire and rescue spokesman.

A two-alarm fire early today did extensive damage to the Columbia Athletic Club in Howard County.Battalion Chief Donald Howell, of the county Fire Department, said the blaze was discovered by a cleaning lady at about 3:10 a.m. By the time firefighters arrived, the large, one-story block and frame building was engulfed in smoke.The club is at 5435 Beaverkill Road in the Village of Harpers Choice, several blocks from Howard County General Hospital.Howell said the cause of the fire was under investigation.

The damage from the five-alarm fire that destroyed a Fells Point building Monday is estimated at $1.5 million, fire officials said Thursday. The fire caused $500,000 in damage to the three-story Fresh Food Market building at 517 S. Broadway and $1 million in damage to materials inside, Baltimore fire spokesman Chief Kevin Cartwright said. Baltimore fire investigators and police arson detectives are working to identify the cause, but fire officials warned it could take some time because the building is large and unsafe.

A severe thunderstorm blew across Harford County yesterday, bringing strong winds, torrential rains and a report of a possible tornado. Harford County Fire Department officials said the storm crossed the county about 3:45 p.m., snapping trees and power poles, flooding several county roads and causing some structural damage. None of the damage was severe, and no injuries were reported, officials said. County emergency management officials were investigating if a tornado is to blame for minor damage caused to several mobile homes in the Bush River Manor mobile home park in Perryman.

A morning blaze yesterday that started near an electric heater damaged the first floor bedroom in a Hampstead house, fire officials said.Equipment from Hampstead, Manchester and Arcadia of Baltimore County responded to the fire in the 3900 block of Sunset Drive at 11:37 a.m. yesterday. The fire also caused minor damage to a wall and clothing in the brick and wood dwelling.The fire was discovered by the occupant when she returned to her house. No one was injured.The fire marshal was still investigating the cause of the fire yesterday, and a damage estimate was not available.

Three 19-year-old Carroll County men were arrested and charged with four counts of malicious destruction of property after they allegedly damaged three mailboxes and scratched a vehicle in the Westminster and Finksburg areas about 11 p.m. Sunday.Bradley Joseph Scobie of the 1700 block of Old Westminster Pike, Robert Lee Freyer of the 200 block of Hahn Road and Bryan T. Crawford of the 1700 block of Doe Drive were released on personal recognizance after a bail hearing before a court commissioner, according to District Court documents.

The Randallstown library will be closed indefinitely because of damage from an early morning fire yesterday, Baltimore County fire and library officials said. The library, at 8604 Liberty Road, sustained about $250,000 in damage, said Capt. Glenn Blackwell of the Baltimore County Fire Department. The cause of the one-alarm fire, which started about 6 a.m. in what Blackwell described as a back workroom, spread to the roof. It was brought under control at 10:59 a.m., then briefly flared up again around 3 p.m. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

A bulldozer driven by a vandal caused extensive damage early yesterday at the Northeast Elementary School construction site in Ellicott City, Howard County police reported. Shortly before 4 a.m., county officers on a surveillance operation nearby heard what was described as a back-up beeper sound, then a loud bang from the school site in the 3100 block of Old Stockbridge Drive, said Denise Walk, a police spokeswoman. Investigating the noises, the officers also heard squealing tires from a vehicle leaving Old Hollow Lane nearby, and found a trail leading there from the school site.