A team of investigators and K9 Deacon from the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a mobile home fire that claimed the lives of two Queen Anne residents Wednesday afternoon.
Officials said just before 2:00 p.m., a school bus driver who was passing through the area observed the home at 504 Fox Meadow Road on fire and called 911. When Queen Anne-Hillsboro Volunteer Fire Department and surrounding fire departments arrived, they discovered a double-wide manufactured home engulfed in flames. Initial reports indicated that two occupants were unaccounted for. After extinguishing the fire, firefighters located the remains of two deceased victims.
The victims have been tentatively identified as Margarete Brown, 83, and her son, Larry Brown, 63. However, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) will conduct a formal identification and investigation into the cause and manner of death.
While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, family members told investigators that the victims had purchased a kerosene heater yesterday to replace an older unit. Deputy state fire marshals uncovered seven kerosene heaters among the debris during the investigation. It is unknown at this time how many of those were in use and functioning.
“Our hearts break for the families affected by this tragedy,” said Acting State Fire Marshal Jason M. Mowbray. “While the cause of this fire remains under investigation, tragedies like this remind us of the importance of fire safety, especially during the winter when the risks increase. I ask everyone to remain vigilant as we light our homes to stay warm. Please check your smoke alarms, have an exit plan and practice it, and get out, stay out,” Mowbray continued.