Landmark barbecue pit destroyed in blaze

A Glen Burnie barbecue pit that has served locals and passers-by for the past 40 years was destroyed last night when a blaze broke out inside the small, cinder-block building.

At about 9:50 p.m., a man driving by Dotson's Barbeque at 7238 Furnace Branch Road, noticed flames coming from the rooftop and called for help, said Lt. Shawn Jones, a county Fire Department spokesman.

When firefighters arrived, they found heavy smoke coming from the building, which sits at the corner of Thompson Avenue.

About 26 firefighters fought the blaze, and had the flames under control within minutes. Employees of the restaurant had left...