A fire at a North Laurel townhouse Tuesday evening caused a half-million dollars in damage, drew firefighters from four counties and injured a Prince George's County firefighter, authorities said.

Howard County investigators believe the fire began on the rear deck of a townhouse in the 8800 block of Ashberry Court and spread along the outside of the residence, eventually reaching the roof.

The home in the Wyndemere development sustained about $275,000 in damages, and two adjacent units incurred another $225,000 in damages, fire officials said.

A firefighter from the Laurel Volunteer Rescue Squad was taken to the burn unit of Washington Hospital Center for first- and second-degree burns to his right hand and a shoulder injury, a spokesman for the Prince George's County Fire Department said.

He was treated and released that night, the spokesman said.

About 45 firefighters from Howard, Prince George's, Montgomery and Anne Arundel counties were called to the scene and brought the fire under control within 90 minutes, a Howard County fire spokesman said.

Howard County's fire-investigation team - a combination of police and fire officials - are investigating the cause of the blaze.

Anyone with information may call fire investigators at 410-313- 3787.M-0