A historic residence in Relay more than a century old was destroyed by a fire early Tuesday morning, according to Baltimore County police spokesman Cpl. John Wachter.
Baltimore County police and firefighters responded to a call of a fire in a vacant residence undergoing renovations in the 5000 block of Cedar Avenue at 1:27 a.m., Wachter said.
The structure was fully engulfed in flames when Baltimore County police and fire personnel arrived on the scene, Wachter said.
The cause of the fire has yet to be determined and is under investigation by fire detective investigators, Wachter said.
Michael Anson, who lives across the street, said he and his wife awoke to the sound of an explosion.
"I heard pop, pop, pop," Anson said. "It sounded like firecrackers."
Anson said he was initially annoyed, thinking that it was neighbors lighting firecrackers as they often do after the Ravens win.
"We looked outside the window and realized it wasn't on purpose," Anson said.
The property is registered with the Maryland Historical Trust Inventory of Historic Properties. Records show that the residence, named Riley House, was built in 1890.
Residences in the area are part of the Relay historic district, located in the southwest portion of the county. County records show the district was enacted by Baltimore County in 1996.
"It's a huge loss for the neighborhood," Anson said, adding that the community takes pride in its old, historic homes. "We all like the old homes. We try to keep them and maintain them."