FROSTBURG — State fire investigators continue to investigate the cause of Tuesday’s fire that claimed the life of a 50-year-old Center Street woman and displaced an adult male occupant, who was not at home when the fire broke out.
The positive identification of the victim and cause of death are being awaited from the State Medical Examiner’s Office. Preliminary identification was made by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
The fire was reported just before 3 p.m. to the Allegany County 911 emergency center as a house fire with possible entrapment, investigators said.
First-arriving Frosbturg volunteer firefighters found smoke and flames coming from a first-floor bedroom window of the two-story dwelling that had been converted into an apartment building. A second-floor apartment was unoccupied.
Firefighters found the body of the victim inside the residence after the fire was extinguished about 15 minutes into the fire operation. She was unable to walk due to pre-existing medical conditions, according to the fire marshal’s office.
Smoke alarms were activated by the fire that remains under investigation by the fire marshal’s office and the C3I Unit, with assistance of K-9 Blondie of the state fire agency. Investigators have concluded the fire began in the victim’s bedroom.
Such joint police and fire investigtions are routine in the event of fires involving a fatality.
“Our hearts break for each of the families affected by this tragic fire,” said Acting State Fire Marshal Jason M. Mowbray. “It is especially heartbreaking for a loss like this to occur just days before the holidays — a time when families should be gathering in celebration, not facing unimaginable grief. Please check your smoke alarms, have an escape plan, and practice it. And if a fire should break out—get out, stay out.”