Firefighters say a blaze at a decades-old Maryland tavern in a Washington, D.C. suburb has caused damage costing roughly $500,000.
Pete Piringer with Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service tells WTTG-TV it appears the flames at Hank Dietle’s Tavern in Rockville were caused accidentally. Dozens of firefighters worked several hours overnight to control the blaze after it had been reported early Wednesday.
Hank Dietle’s opened in the 1950s after a fire destroyed the establishment that preceded it at the same location. The tavern featured live music and drinks.
Piringer says discarded smoking materials likely started the fire.
Information from: WTTG-TV
Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
Severe Convective Storms Become Costliest Insured Peril of 21st Century: Aon 
DoorDash, Uber Cost Drivers $550 Million in Tips, NYC Says 
SIAA Announces Strategic Partnership With Progressive 
Insurtech Lemonade Starts Autonomous Car Product With Tesla’s Data 
