In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Combustible material” includes waste paper, rags, shavings, waste, leather, rubber, crates, boxes, barrels, rubbish, or other material that is or may become dangerous as a fire menace. “Fire official” means: a member of a board of fire commissioners of a municipal corporation of the State; a chief or assistant to the chief of a fire department of a municipal corporation of the State; an officer or member of a fire department of a municipal corporation of the State acting under the direction of the board of fire commissioners or fire chief; or a chief, chief engineer, captain, or lieutenant of a volunteer fire company, fire district, or any other organization created for the purpose of and engaged in the work of extinguishing fires in an unincorporated town, municipal corporation, or county of the State.

This subtitle does not apply to Baltimore County.

A fire official may inspect a building, structure, or other place under the jurisdiction of the fire official, except the interior of a private dwelling, where combustible material has been allowed to accumulate or where the fire official has reason to believe that combustible material has accumulated or may be accumulated. At any time and without liability for trespass, a fire official: may enter, at the fire official’s own risk, a building, including a private dwelling, or on premises where a fire is burning, or where there is reasonable cause to believe a fire is burning, to extinguish the fire; may enter, at the fire official’s own risk, a building, including a private dwelling, or on premises near the scene of a fire to protect the building or premises or to extinguish the fire; when responding to or operating at a fire or other emergency: may order an individual to leave a building or place in the vicinity of the fire or other emergency to protect the individual from injury; may order, after consultation with the senior railroad or transportation official present, a convoy, caravan, or train of vehicles, craft, or railway cars to be detached or uncoupled if the fire official determines that to do so is in the interest of safety of individuals or property; and may enter a building that is in danger of the spread of fire to prevent a potential emergency, including an explosion, in the building; and to maintain order in the vicinity of a fire or other emergency: may direct the actions of firefighters at the fire or other emergency; may keep bystanders or other individuals at a safe distance from the fire or other emergency and from fire equipment; may facilitate the speedy movement and operation of fire-fighting equipment and firefighters; and until the arrival of sufficient police officers, may direct traffic personally or have a subordinate do so to facilitate the movement of traffic. Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, a fire official may not inhibit or obstruct members of rescue squads from performing their duties in the vicinity of a fire or other emergency.

A fire official shall give written notice to the occupant of premises where combustible material has accumulated to remove the combustible material from the premises within 48 hours after receipt of the notice, if after an inspection made under this subtitle, the fire official determines that the accumulation of combustible material increases the danger of fire to: the premises where the combustible material has accumulated; or adjacent property. If the combustible material is not removed from the premises within 48 hours after receipt of a notice under subsection (a) of this section, the fire official may: remove the combustible material from the premises; send a bill to the occupant of the premises for the cost of the removal; and certify the cost of the removal to the treasurer of the jurisdiction. If the cost of the removal is not paid to the treasurer within 30 days after receipt of the bill, the jurisdiction may bring a civil action against the occupant to recover the cost. A person may not refuse or neglect to remove combustible material within 48 hours after receipt of a notice under subsection (a) of this section. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine of not less than $5 and not exceeding $50 for each violation.

A person may not hinder, obstruct, or refuse to allow a fire inspection under this subtitle. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject for each violation to imprisonment not exceeding 30 days or a fine not less than $10 and not exceeding $100.