1 Dead After Basement Fire In Baltimore
BALTIMORE (WJZ/AP) -- A man is dead after a fire broke out in the basement of a Northwest Baltimore rowhome.
Firefighters were called to the 5000-block of Queensberry Avenue around 3:15 a.m. Saturday, where they found heavy smoke coming from the basement.
Fire department spokesman Kevin Cartwright says security bars on the doors and windows of the home made it difficult for firefighters to get into the home at first, but were able to force their way in to battle the blaze. When they searched the basement, Cartwright says firefighters found the body of a man.
"Seconds count. It only takes one gasp of air of toxic fumes and smoke before a person succumbs to the heat and the flames, which actually occurred in this incident," Cartwright said.
Firefighters were able to contain the blaze to the basement and no one else was injured.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
WJZ is still working to get the name of the victim.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
