A four-alarm fire at a condominium complex near Mount Washington caused $500,000 in damage to more than a dozen units yesterday afternoon, sent clouds of smoke into nearby neighborhoods and forced some residents out of their homes indefinitely.

Fire officials said no injuries were reported in the blaze, which began shortly before 3 p.m. at The Lodge at Jones Valley.

"It spread so fast, it was unbelievable," said Lenny Sherman, a neighbor who lives across from the development. "The building was fully engulfed."

Battalion Chief Mark Hubbard, a spokesman for the Baltimore County Fire Department, said 15 units in two buildings in the 6900 block of Jones View Drive were either destroyed or heavily damaged by the fire.

He said investigators were probing the remains of the condos in an effort to determine where and how the fire began.

Hubbard said strong wind gusts fanned the flames. "Our biggest problem was the wind," he said. "At one point we had reports of 44-mile-per-hour winds."

Initial 911 calls said some residents were trapped in burning units, but firefighters said everyone had fled by the time they arrived. In all, 80 emergency personnel and 30 pieces of equipment battled the blaze, which was brought under control in about two hours. Emergency crews set up an evacuation area at the Liberty Jewish Community Center for those displaced by the fire.

Ruth Young, a spokeswoman for American Red Cross of Central Maryland, said condo complex officials were providing shelter for some residents.

Pub Date: 3/19/99