5 People Escape, 4 Pets Die In 2-Alarm Blaze In South Baltimore
BALTIMORE (WJZ)—A stubborn fire, fueled by an abundance of household items, burned through a Federal Hill rowhome.
Mike Schuh was on the scene Monday morning.
The same family has lived in the home for more than 50 years, and belongings have accumulated. The fire department says that their stuff burned so well that the fire turned into an inferno.
One alarm went out at 3:45 a.m. Monday. The heavy smoke slowed the escape of the five people inside.
"There were three adults and two children. At this time we have transported them all to an area hospital," said Roman Clark, Baltimore Fire Department.
There was so much stuff inside, and neighbors say renovations were underway. The fire spread quickly.
"It's a very, heavy fire load, which makes this fire very intense," Clark said.
Soon, the first crew knew they needed help. A second alarm was called in.
The commanders told those inside to get out—a good thing too. Soon the second floor and later the third floor collapsed onto the first floor.
A neighbor whose home was damaged tells us she was awakened by firemen next door, but thought someone was breaking into her home. At that time her smoke detector went off, and she escaped.
In addition to the five people taken to hospital from inside the home, one firefighter was hospitalized after he twisted his ankle on a ladder.
Four of the family's pets died in that fire. Investigators are still working on the cause.
