The Office of the State Fire Marshal issued the following statement regarding yesterday’s tragic fire in Elkton, Maryland.
“The Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division continue to investigate an early morning fire in Elkton that killed a child Christmas Day and left her devastated family without a home.
The Singerly Fire Company and surrounding departments responded around 7:30 a.m. to a reported dwelling fire at 317 Willow Drive. Upon arrival, firefighters found the family standing outside their home, stating a young girl was still inside. Firefighters heroically entered the home and located the child. However, she was later pronounced deceased on the scene. The fire was upgraded to two alarms, bringing nearly 75 firefighters to the scene, and it took almost one hour to control.
At this time, official identification and cause of death are pending with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Still, the victim is believed to be a 10-year-old resident of the home. Five other family members lived in the home, including four adults and a 13-year-old.
The fire’s origin and cause remain under investigation, and investigators have been unable to locate working smoke alarms in the home. The fire marshal’s office reminds all Maryland residents that smoke alarms have proven to be the difference between life and death in a fire emergency.
“I, and every member of the Office of the State Fire Marshal, extend our sincere condolences to the victim’s family and friends. It is a heartbreaking day for Elkton and the community of Winding Brook Village,’ said Acting State Fire Marshal Jason M. Mowbray.
Six people were displaced from their home at 319 Willow Drive due to the fire and are being assisted by the American Red Cross.
A joint investigation between the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the local jurisdiction is a standard operating procedure when a fatal fire occurs.”
Sources familiar with the incident tell FSU that four pets also perished in the fire.
Breaking Report
Maryland fire investigators are investigating a house fire that occurred just before 7:30, on Christmas morning.
Callers initially reported to Cecil County dispatch that heavy smoke was coming from a middle-of-the-row townhouse in the 300 block of Willow Drive in Elkton, Maryland. Crews en route to the scene also received reports of a child trapped inside the home.
Sources familiar with the incident tell FSU that the fire involved a fatality, however, the identity of the victim and the circumstances surrounding the death have not been disclosed by investigators at this early stage.
Sources also tell FSU that four family members were transported to Union Hospital. Their conditions are unknown.
Additional reports indicate that the fire also damaged homes adjacent to the original fire building. The American Red Cross has been contacted to assist a number of residents who have been displaced due to the fire.
Fire investigators arrived on the scene and are investigating the cause of the fire.
This is a developing story