Apartment Fire Claims Maryland Woman
BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. --
Baltimore County Fire officials said a two-alarm fire claimed the life of a woman on Saturday.
The fire broke out in an apartment complex at the Bonny Ridge Apartments in the 6600 block of Copper Ridge Drive in Pikesville at about 1:15 a.m.
Officials said crews found flames coming out of a first-floor apartment when they arrived.
"They had heavy fire showing with exposure to the second story apt," Baltimore County Fire Division Chief Michael Robinson said.
Inside they found Kristen Chencus, 34, in a front bedroom on the first floor.
The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. No one else was hurt.
Crews said that because the fire was fast-moving, they quickly called for back-up.
It took firefighters about 36 minutes to bring the fire under control. Officials said they believe the fire started in the unit where the victim was found. That unit sustained extensive damage.
One other unit was damaged in the fire.
The apartment management is assisting eight people who were displaced by the fire. Damage is being estimated at about $400,000.
An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of the victim's death, officials said.
Investigators said a smoke detector was found but that they arenât sure if it was working at the time.
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