Maryland State Fire Marshal

News Release
Martin OMalley Governor William E. Barnard State Fire Marshal

STATE FIRE MARSHALS INVESTIGATING FATAL FIRE

ST. MARYS COUNTY, MD (February 9, 2012) A joint investigation by the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the St. Marys County Bureau of Investigations is investigating the cause of death of an adult male victim from an overnight fire at 45955 Foxchase Drive in Great Mills. The victim was located inside the two bedroom, first floor apartment of the two story wood framed garden style apartment building. Approximately 45 firefighters from Bay District Co.9, Bay District Co. 3, Valley Lee, and Hollywood Fire Departments responded to the scene. First arriving units observed heavy smoke coming from the building and found the bulk of the fire had burned itself out upon entry into the apartment. The deceased male victim was located in a chair located in the living room. Investigators located evidence of smoking materials and a home medical oxygen unit inside the apartment. The bulk of the fire was confined to the living room where the victim was located. Although the victim is believed to be the known occupant of the apartment, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the identity and cause of death. Smoke alarms were not determined to have been operating at the time of the incident. An alert neighbor notified 911 and summoned the fire department to the scene.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal is an agency of the Department of State Police dedicated to helping protect citizens from fire and explosion through a comprehensive program of education, inspection, investigation and fire protection engineering. For more information on fire safety call 1-800-525-3124, log onto our website at: www.firemarshal.state.md.us and/or follow us on Facebook under Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal.

Media contact: Bruce D. Bouch, Deputy State Fire Marshal; 443-324-6876

1201 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208