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Ronald Joy, 62, and his wife, Kathy Joy, were home shortly before 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 27 when a fire broke out in their Littlestown Pike home in Westminster, officials say.
Both were able to escape before members of the Pleasant Valley Fire Department and other area agencies arrived at the scene, however, officials say that Joy went back inside the home to rescue his family's beloved pets.
According to the fire marshal, firefighters at the scene later located and rescued Joy inside the home.
He was treated by paramedics and transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Kathy Joy was also transported to the hospital and is currently in stable condition, officials said on Monday, Nov. 28.
The initial investigation into the fatal fire determined that it originated within a bathroom inside the home, though the case remains under investigation. Officials noted that smoke alarms were present, though it is unclear if they were activated.
A total of five dogs and an unknown number of cats were rescued from or died in the fire. Officials did not provide an exact number of how many survived the blaze.
Maryland State Fire Marshal Brian Geraci said that a joint investigation by his office and local police has been launched with an assist from the Carroll County Sheriff's Office and Carroll County Animal Control.
“This tragic incident is a heartbreaking but real example of why going back inside doesn't guarantee that you and your family will make it back alive,” Geraci said. "Get out, stay out. Have working smoke alarms and an escape plan in place.”
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