Woman dead, several displaced after fire rips through rowhomes in Baltimore's Greektown neighborhood

BALTIMORE -- A woman died and several people were displaced after a large fire spread through multiple rowhomes Monday evening in Baltimore's Greektown neighborhood, according to the Baltimore Fire Department. 

Crews responded to the three-alarm fire shortly after 5 p.m. in the 300 block of South Newkirk Street. At least three rowhomes were caught in the fire, while about seven others sustained water and smoke damage, according to Baltimore City Fire Chief James Wallace.

The deceased victim, identified as 71-year-old Patricia Lesnick, was found in a house at 308 S. Newkirk Street. On Tuesday morning, Baltimore City Fire officials confirmed that Lesnick lived in the home and had been trapped inside during the fire. 

"This is tragic," Wallace said. "Anytime we have something like this, it's really tragic. Our people work hard to try and put these fires out and keep them from spreading. This appears to be one that had a head start on us and it took a lot of effort."

Wallace said more than 100 firefighters responded to the blaze.

"This fire was well deep-seated in the home. That large volume of fire always presents a challenge," he said.

Fire crews arrived within three minutes and called for additional alarms shortly after arrival. According to the dispatch call, heavy smoke covered the area, and the fire moved rapidly. 

As firefighters worked to put out the blaze, they removed portions of the roof to extinguish the fire in the attics and to let additional heat and smoke out of the building. 

Michelle Pearce, who has lived on this block for two years, said neighbors are banding together during the tragedy.

"We have a lot of elderly neighbors," Pearce said. "How can we pull together as a community and help them get our kids into a safe place, but also pull together to help people who don't have family right here?"

Residents displaced by fire

This fire displaced residents from eight to 10 homes. Wallace said the Red Cross was on site to assist those people.

"We do have a lot of residents displaced," Wallace said. "We are going to be here for several hours. We have a lot of different issues that we need to address. Traffic will remain affected in this area."  

Neighbors lined the street watching first responders put out the flames. Lilianna, a neighbor who lives just two doors down from where the fire started, described the terror her family felt as they quickly ran out of their home. She called it an indescribable evening.

"I panicked. I didn't even put shoes on," Lilianna said. "I have three birds in there. I don't think they made it, or things are in there. I don't I couldn't get anything. I don't even have my phone. I have nothing."

It's unclear how the fire started. 

Wallace said neighbors have camera footage at their homes that could help in the investigation.

Baltimore County Fire, Baltimore City Police, including the arson investigation unit, BGE, Office of Emergency Management, and the Department of Public Works also responded to the scene.

The Baltimore City Fire Department is still investigating the cause of the fire, but believes it may have started on the first floor at the back of the home.