Fire Breaks Out at Clarksburg Premium Outlets

No injuries reported as sprinkler system extinguishes blaze at Talbots Outlet store.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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A fire broke out early Friday morning at the Talbots Outlet store in the Clarksburg Premium Outlets shopping mall in Germantown, Maryland. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service crews responded to the scene and were able to extinguish the fire using the store's sprinkler system. Two employees were able to evacuate the store safely, and no injuries were reported.

Why it matters

The Clarksburg Premium Outlets is a major shopping destination in the Montgomery County area, and a fire at one of the stores could have significant impact on the mall's operations and the surrounding community. Fires in commercial buildings also raise concerns about public safety and the effectiveness of fire prevention and response measures.

The details

According to authorities, the fire broke out in the back area of the Talbots Outlet store around 10 a.m. on Friday. The store's sprinkler system was able to extinguish the flames before firefighters arrived on the scene. While no injuries were reported, at least three other stores in the mall sustained water damage, and one other store had smoke damage.

  • The fire was reported to authorities just before 10 a.m. on Friday, February 13, 2026.

The players

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service

The local fire department that responded to the fire at the Clarksburg Premium Outlets.

Talbots Outlet

The store where the fire originated at the Clarksburg Premium Outlets shopping mall.

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What they’re saying

“No injuries were tied to the incident, but Pazos said at least three stores sustained water damage. One other store sustained smoke damage.”

— David Pazos, Assistant Chief, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (Patch.com)

What’s next

The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of effective fire prevention and response measures in commercial buildings to protect public safety and minimize disruptions to businesses and the surrounding community.