The victims -- a man and a woman -- were identifed as students at Frostburg University, said Bruce Bouch, an investigator with the Maryland Fire Marshal's Office.
Frostburg Police Officer Kevin Groves and a firefighter from Shaft Fire Company were taken to the hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation, while a Frostburg firefighter suffered a burn on his hand.
The fire in the two-story building originated on the first floor in the rear. However, the cause remains under investigation, he said.
Bouch said Four Star Pizza Restaurant is located on the first floor in the front of the East Main Street building while there are two apartments in the rear.
There were three on the second floor -- where the victims perished.
Ten other occupants managed to escape.
Bouch said there were smoke detectors present but it hasn't been determined if they were operating.
The investigation is continuing.
This brings to 56 the number of fire deaths in Maryland this year, Maryland Fire Marshal Bill Barnard said in a telephone interview.
Barnard said the state is on course to set a record for the lowest number of fire fatalities. In 2006 and 2008, there were 60.
Firehouse.com will provide more information on this story as it becomes available.
Susan Nicol | News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.
