Probe of Deadly House Fire Underway in Havre de Grace, MD

Todd Karpovich

Baltimore Sun

(TNS)

A married couple died early Wednesday in a house fire in Havre de Grace that is under investigation by the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal.

A 73-year-old man and his 85-year-old wife died in the fire, which was reported at about 1:13 a.m. in the 800 block of Erie Street.

Their adult son woke up when a smoke alarm went off and was able to escape uninjured through a second-floor window, the fire marshal’s office said.

When crews arrived, they found heavy fire throughout the two-story single-family home, officials said.

Investigators determined the fire began in the first-floor living room but are still investigating the exact cause. There is no evidence of criminal activity, they said.

“Our hearts break for the victims and their loved ones,” acting State Fire Marshal Jason M. Mowbray said in a statement. “In this case, a working smoke alarm alerted the surviving occupant and gave him the critical seconds needed to escape. Tragically, two others were unable to escape. This heartbreaking incident reminds us that while smoke alarms save lives, every second counts in a fire. We urge everyone to make sure smoke alarms are working and to have and practice a home escape plan.”

Deputy state fire marshals are investigating the cause of the blaze. The Havre de Grace Police Department is assisting, which is standard procedure in fatal fire investigations. Officials said more information will be released as it becomes available.

Bryna Zumer contributed to this article.

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