Multiple Harford County fire companies responded to a fire at the Jump On It Fun Center in Forest Hill early Friday afternoon that did extensive damage. Miraculously no one was injured.
A working fire in the building at 98 Industry Lane, in the Forest Hill Business Airpark, was reported around 12:45 p.m.
Fire companies from Bel Air, Jarrettsville, Fallston, Abingdon and Joppa-Magnolia responded, as requests for additional engines were broadcast over the course of about 30 minutes after the fire was reported.
The Jump On It Fun Center hosts kid's parties and similar activities, according to its website. The center contains multiple bounce houses for its guests to play in.
About 25 children and adults were visiting the center when an parent noticed smoke and flames coming from a fan blower powering the center's Batman bounce house, fire investigators said.
The employee used the intercom to notify visitors about the fire and all were able to safety evacuate the building.
Meanwhile, the same parent attempted to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher, without success, while the employee went to a utility room and shut off the power to most of the bounce houses, causing them deflate, investigators said.
"It is without a doubt this action contained most of the fire to the Batman bounce house and prevented flames to spread to the others causing more damage," the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office said in a notice of investigation.
As it was, the building sustained extensive smoke, soot and water damage, investigators said.
Preliminary loss is estimated at $200,000 to the steel, brick and masonry structure and $250,000 to the contents.
The Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association reported the fire was brought under control at 1:19 p.m.; however, firefighters and equipment remained on the scene for more than an hour afterward conducting ventilation and overhaul operations.