One person dead, another critically injured during house fire in Catonsville, Baltimore County Fire says

CATONSVILLE -- One person dead, another critically injured, along with a cat and dog during a house fire in Catonsville Friday morning, according to Baltimore County Fire officials.  

Firefighters responded to the 400 block of Westshire Drive to find a home with heavy fire.  

Officials said three people were rescued during the incident.  As of 7:50 a.m., the fire is under control and the cause is under investigation.

Neighbors tell WJZ, one of the victims own Shirley's Family Diner in Catonsville and that the two victims are related. 

"One of our neighbors said that they heard him yelling that his mom was trapped inside," said Mary Giles, a longtime neighbor. 

Mary Giles lives a few houses down and remembers hearing a loud noise,  screaming as she walked outside her home Friday morning.

"I heard and saw commotion, and I looked outside and saw flames and smoke," said Giles.

Giles said she saw people trying to help get her neighbors out of this burning home and get additional help. 

"I've never seen a fire (like this) at all. I was shocked at the amount of people that responded," said Giles. 

In minutes, firefighters arrived. 

 "Upon arrival, they found heavy fire to the right side of the building, first floor. They began extinguishing, and also began rescue efforts," Lt. David Blenman, a spokesperson for Baltimore Co. Fire Department.

Baltimore County firefighters told WJZ two people a man and a woman were pulled from the fire both in critical condition. 

Neighbors said the victims are mother and son.

"They said he was burned, but they took him to a hospital so hopefully he'll recover I just don't know what's going to happen," explained Giles. "He's always been down there with his mother, so I don't know."

Flames from the burning home did damage parts of a neighboring house leaving both homes and an entire neighborhood scarred. 

"Terrible tragedy. It's not a good thing ever. But this time of year, I think it's extra hard," said Giles. "It's too close to Christmas to have a fire and things. It's just not a good scenario for anyone involved."

A dog and a cat were also rescued from this fire and taken to a local shelter for treatment. No word on their condition. 

The origin of this fire is still under investigation.

Rash of Recent Fires 

Baltimore has seen a rash of fires recently, including one that left a woman dead and displaced several residents in the city's Greektown neighborhood on November 25.  

A massive fire at Camp Small, a wood recycling facility near I-83, smoldered for days after Baltimore firefighters contained it to a small area.  

Though the cause of the fires has not yet been determined, the Northeastern U.S. region has been experiencing ongoing drought conditions since mid-October, which can often contribute to an elevated fire risk.