The fatal fire in Maryland

By Zak Failla From Daily Voice

A 50-year-old woman was killed when a fast-moving fire tore through a Maryland home on Tuesday afternoon, launching a joint investigation by state and local authorities, officials say.

The blaze broke out shortly before 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 25, at a single-family home converted into two apartments on Center Street, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal. 

Firefighters arrived within minutes to find smoke and flames shooting from a first-floor bedroom window.

Dozens of firefighters worked the two-alarm fire and brought it under control in about 15 minutes. 

After extinguishing the flames, crews found the body of a woman inside the apartment, though the 50-year-old has not been identified as of Wednesday, Nov. 26. 

Her body was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for positive identification and to determine the cause of death.

Investigators said the fire started inside the victim’s bedroom, but the cause remains under investigation. Smoke alarms were present and activated. 

The Fire Marshal’s Office confirmed the victim had preexisting medical conditions and was unable to walk.

A man who also lives in the home was not present at the time of the fire and has been displaced. The upstairs apartment was unoccupied.

Deputy State Fire Marshals were assisted by the Maryland State Police Crime Scene Unit and K9 Blondie, which is standard procedure in fatal fire investigations.

“Our hearts break for each of the families affected by this tragic fire,” Acting State Fire Marshal Jason Mowbray said. “It is especially heartbreaking for a loss like this to occur just days before the holidays—a time when families should be gathering in celebration, not facing unimaginable grief."

"Please check your smoke alarms, have an escape plan, and practice it. And if a fire should break out—get out, stay out.”

This remains an active investigation.