Carroll County, Baltimore County, and Howard County fire companies were alerted at approximately 10:24 pm for a building fire in Eldersburg next to the McDonald's restaurant Thursday night, January 23, 2014. Units arrived on the scene and reported a working fire in the small strip shopping center called Oklahoma Center. The center is located in the 1700 block of Liberty Road. Chief 12 (Sykesville) took command.

Gamber and Community Fire Co. responded initially with Engine 131 and Duty 13. Shortly after that, Gamber, Winfield, and Sykesville companies were alerted for a motor vehicle collision on Rt. 32 near the new Royal Farm Stores' entrance. Engine 134 responded to that incident. An engine from Sykesville handled that call and Engine 134 was diverted to the building fire. It was sent to a staging area next to Denny's Restaurant in the Carrolltown Mall parking lot. Engine 134 took command of the staging area for all 2nd alarm units. Gamber's Engine/Tanker 133 and Ambulance 139 also responded on the 2nd alarm.

Due to the extreme cold which made it very difficult to fight the fire, crews from almost all 2nd alarm units were rotated into the fire fighting teams. They left their apparatus parked in the staging area and walked across Liberty Road to the fire scene.

Freezing weather hampered firefighting efforts as water froze almost instantly and many hoses and appliances became inoperable. Icy sidewalks and parking lots from the water run-off were also very hazardous. There were no injuries reported. Units started to clear the scene around 12:45 am.

Reese Fire Co. filled in the Gamber station and responded to one medical call along with Winfield's ambulance during the fill-in. Deputies from the Office of the State Fire Marshal are investigating.