Investigators Seek Cause In NW Baltimore Rowhouse Fire
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Fast moving fire. A number of families are lucky to be alive after a fire sweeps through a group of rowhomes in Northwest Baltimore.
Amy Yensi spoke to homeowners about the close call.
As if battling a three-alarm fire wasn't hard enough, add snow, ice and wind to the mix. No one was hurt because neighbors sprung into action.
A row of homes in Pimlico was left in tatters following a quick moving fire. The combination of falling snow and clouds of black smoke was a hard sight to see.
"And I see nothing but flames. Flames coming from the top of the roof. And I'm like, ain't nothing but black smoke," said Damon Lewis.
Fire crews fighting through the ice, snow and wind struggled to fizzle out the hotspots spreading with ease along Cordelia Avenue.
"The fire basically got into the loft and began to travel quickly from house to house to house," said Captain Roman Clark, Baltimore City Fire Department.
The speed of roaring flames still no match for the will of neighbors willing to risk their own lives to save others.
"See, I've been knowing her. And before the fire could get down that far, I told her the fire was running towards her house and for her to come out," said Elmore Roundtree.
With officials saying the fire spread quickly because the houses are connected, neighbors who live in similar structures say they fear what could happen if flames broke out on their side of the street.
"It could easily happen on this side," one homeowner said.
BGE crews were on the scene Friday to condemn the homes and turn off the power. No lives were lost, but fire officials estimate that the structural damage alone is well over half a million dollars.
"It's hard to replace it. You can't replace sentimental valued things you have in your house," said Keith Dickens.
The Red Cross did help with immediate housing, but many have no idea where they'll go next.
Fire officials say it's still too soon to determine what sparked the flames, but that smoke alarms warned people to get out.
City residents who don't have working smoke detectors are urged to call 311.