Dan Belson, Dillon Mullan
Baltimore Sun
(TNS)
A rowhouse fire Thursday in the 5200 block of Linden Heights Avenue in the Woodmere neighborhood in Northwest Baltimore claimed the life of one firefighter and injured four of his colleagues. Here’s what we know about the fire and the investigation.
Who was killed? Who was injured?
EMT/firefighter Rodney Pitts III, 31, died of his injuries Thursday night. Pitts, who grew up in the city, had been in active service as a firefighter and EMT since August and was stationed in Park Heights on Engine 29.
Three of the other four firefighters who were wounded by burns have been released from hospitals. Lt. Dillon J. Rinaldo, a six-year veteran of the department, was still in critical but stable condition Sunday, spokesperson Kevin Cartwright said. The other three firefighters injured — Seth Robbins, a 17-year veteran, Lt. Keith Brooks II, a 14-year veteran, and Tavon T. Marshall, a three-year veteran, had all been treated and released.
When is Pitts’ funeral?
The Baltimore City Fire Department said Monday that Pitts’ funeral will begin at 10 a.m. Friday at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen at 5200 N. Charles St. followed by an interment at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens in Timonium.
The department also announced viewings Wednesday and Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Duda-Ruck Funeral Home at 7922 Wise Ave. in Dundalk.
What happened?
The fire broke out at about 3:45 p.m. Thursday in a block of brick two-story homes with small grass yards.
The fire consumed four rowhouses. One house was a rental, two were vacant properties, and one was occupied by an owner, according to city housing data. Pitts was inside the occupied house, which is between the vacant homes, when firefighters became overwhelmed by the blaze’s intensity.
Who is investigating?
The Baltimore field division of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the state fire marshal, a division of the Maryland State Police, have been assisting the city fire department at the scene.
Investigators were still trying to determine the cause of the fire and its origin Sunday afternoon, said Amanda Hils, a spokesperson for the local division of the ATF. The Baltimore Police’s arson and homicide units also are investigating. Police took one person into custody after the fire who was released after being interviewed.
When was the last time multiple firefighters were killed or injured in Baltimore?
In January 2022, three firefighters were killed and a fourth was seriously injured in a vacant rowhouse fire on South Stricker Street in the New Southwest/ Mount Clare neighborhood of Central Southwest. The department has budgeted to add four more safety officers to its ranks following one of the deadliest fires in the city’s history.
Since the 2022 fatal fire, Baltimore has lowered its vacant housing stock. A Baltimore Sun investigation found that the city’s vacant properties burn at twice the national rate.
What is being done in memory of the firefighters?
The Baltimore Firefighters Union has established a GoFundMe with a $200,000 goal to support Pitts’ family. As of early Tuesday morning, the campaign had raised $38,335 through more than 578 donations.
A GoFundMe for Rinaldo’s recovery has raised $69,696 on 752 donations toward a $100,000 goal as of early Tuesday morning.
During Sunday’s win over the Detroit Lions at M&T Bank Stadium, the Ravens paid tribute to Pitts and the four firefighters injured Thursday.
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