64°
The flames were already ripping through a Brunswick Road home in Faulkner when firefighters arrived shortly after 6:15 a.m. on April 17, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal.
Crews from the Bel Alton Volunteer Fire Department and other nearby agencies were told that two people might still be inside the burning house, but extreme hoarding conditions made getting to them nearly impossible.
It took 50 firefighters close to two hours to get the blaze under control.
Once inside, investigators say they found the second-floor occupants — 62-year-old Robert Bowling and 70-year-old Kim Dickens — dead in the wreckage. Their remains were taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore to confirm cause of death.
A tenant who lived on the first floor was able to escape unharmed.
Officials said the hoarding conditions not only slowed crews down, but also made the fire more dangerous to fight. The structure suffered an estimated $175,000 in damage, with another $75,000 in losses to the contents.
Smoke alarms were located inside the home, but it’s unclear whether they were working at the time.
The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Fire Marshal’s Office.
Bel Alton Volunteer Fire Department said it received mutual aid from Charles, St. Mary’s, Calvert, and King George counties. Crews operated on scene for hours.
Want breaking news in the DMV as it happens, or want to contribute? Join the DMV All Incidents Facebook group.
Click here to follow Daily Voice La Plata and receive free news updates.
