Maryland authorities continue their probe of a two-alarm fire in Brunswick and a homicide about three miles away.
The house at 13 S. Virginia Ave. was found fully engulfed in flames shortly after 8 a.m. Monday. There was an early report of someone trapped in the multi-family house.
That person, Kelly L. Shortt-Hamilton, 27, was later found dead of an apparent gunshot wound in a vehicle along rural Keep Tryst Road.
Also found dead in the car was her estranged husband, Daniel Ray Shortt Sr., 44, according to the Washington County Sheriff's Office
Authorities quickly linked the blaze and the homicide.
Brunswick Fire Chief George Clary quickly assumed command, and requested a second alarm. Firefighters from Virginia and West Virginia as well as Washington County, Md. were among those who responded.
Houses on both sides were damaged by the flames, but firefighters managed to contain the blaze before it spread to Brunswick Vol. Ambulance and Rescue Co.
The ambulances and squad truck were relocated to Brunswick Vol. Fire Company.
"Due to the poor air quality and odor of smoke, we moved our operation to the fire company," said Andy Smothers, rescue chief, adding that crews will likely move back in the next few days.
"The building needs to air out," he said. "It wasn't healthy for our personnel to be in there."
