Carroll, Md. – Deputy State Fire Marshals and Agents with the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) have located the remains of the second individual inside the home at 2201 Bear Run Road in Taneytown. Investigators initially located the remains of the first victim in the late morning hours. It is presumed both victims are the elderly occupants of the home; however this cannot be confirmed until the identity of both is officially determined. This will be done through a cooperative effort with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Deputy State Fire Marshals are still in the process of conducting an origin and cause investigation of the fire and it is expected to continue into the late evening hours. Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) has been assisting investigators by operating excavating equipment and removing large sections of fire debris. Hoarding conditions were present inside the home prior to the fire, which has hampered investigators ability to access the home in certain areas. The Office of the State Fire Marshal is conducting a joint investigation with Carroll County Sheriff’s Office. It is standard operating procedure to conduct a joint investigation with the primary law enforcement agency within the jurisdiction of a fatal fire incident. ATF is the Office of the State Fire Marshal’s federal partner in origin and cause investigations and assist when requested.
On August 25, 2017 at 5:04 AM neighbors reported hearing an explosion and later discovering the home engulfed in flames. It took firefighters from Carroll and Frederick counties one hour to control the fire. Taneytown Volunteer Fire Company has remained on scene assisting investigators throughout the day extinguishing hot spots. Accelerant Detection Canine ‘Kachina’ assisted in the investigation and the use of such a canine is standard operating procedure in any fatal fire incident.
Original Story
Taneytown, MD – A team of investigators from the Office of the State Fire Marshal are currently on the scene of a house fire with a reported explosion, according to the Fire Marshals Office. Officials indicated that neighbors called 911 at 4:05 this morning, August 25, 2017 and reported the home in the 2000 blk 0f Bear Run Road in Taneytown was completely engulfed in flames.
The one alarm fire for the two story single family dwelling was brought under control within one hour by firefighters from Taneytown and surrounding fire departments, according to officials.
Multiple hot spots are still being extinguished during this active scene investigation. Neighbors report an elderly couple reside at the home and have not been accounted for at this time. The Carroll County Sheriffs Office is assisting with the on-scene investigation
Taneytown is located about an hour northwest of Baltimore.
