In the early hours of Saturday, January 25, 2025, firefighters from the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department were alerted to two separate fires at the rear of Big Dogs Paradise Bar and Grill, located at 28765 Three Notch Road in Mechanicsville.

**First Incident:**
At approximately 12:50 a.m., a passerby called 911 to report a fire behind the structure. Firefighters arrived to find a small trash fire near a homeless individual who was sleeping nearby. The fire was quickly extinguished, and the individual was unharmed. Deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office were called to investigate.

**Second Incident:**
Just over an hour later, at 1:57 a.m., another 911 caller reported that a gazebo behind the bar was fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters from Mechanicsville, along with crews from Hughesville, Hollywood, Leonardtown, and Seventh District, were dispatched to the scene.

Upon arrival, crews confirmed the gazebo was completely on fire. Engine 22 established command and began firefighting operations, assisted by Tanker 2. The fire was extinguished within 10 minutes.

**Investigation:**
The scene was handed over to the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office for investigation*