Lending a Hand in Worcester County Fire Investigations Could be Just a ’Ring’ Away

The Worcester County Fire Marshals Office has a new program they hope you may be willing to be a part of. All it takes is a ring doorbell or an app on your phone. The tiny piece of technology placed next to front doors could now be used to help out the Fire Marshals Office. If a fire breaks out, video from a nearby ring doorbell could be pulled for an investigation on a voluntary basis. Matthew Owens, Fire Marshal for Worcester County, said they began this after seeing some disheartening statistics about fires. "Unfortunately the state of Maryland is seeing an uptick in fatal fires and we wanted to be creative in a way that we were reaching out to the community," said Matthew Owens. Donald Fletcher, who lives in Berlin, said he is happy to help. "Unless we delete it before they get here they can use it all they want," said Fletcher.
WBOC-TV CBS 16 Salisbury

Overturned truck explodes on I-795 in Baltimore County, driver taken to Shock Trauma

VIDEO: Maryland State Police are now investigating the tanker truck crash. The driver of the truck was transported to shock trauma for treatment, listed in serious condition. Baltimore County Fire officials are assisting with a massive tanker fire on I-795 past I-695. The tanker is engulfed in flames with billowing smoke rising in the air. The truck was filled with fuel. Officials say a tanker strike team is assisting with the incident with the Maryland Department of the Environment, and Troopers from the MDSP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division. No other injuries reported. The Maryland State Highway Administration says all lanes are closed in both directions.
WJLA-TV ABC 7 Washington DC

Firefighters: Child’s quick action prevented further damage from Howard County townhome fire

The quick action of a child may have saved a townhome from further damage in Howard County. Howard County Fire and EMS said a child in the home was awoke by the fire alarm, called 911 and then evacuated with his family. Firefighters found smoke on the third floor of the Columbia townhome, on Greek Boy Place. Crews said the fire involved a mini fridge which was quickly extinguished. "This story serves as an important reminder of why it's so essential to regularly talk to your kids about what to do in an emergency," Howard County EMS said. "Getting (and staying) outside and calling 911 are two important lessons to consistently share with your children."
WJZ-TV CBS 13 Baltimore

Firefighters extinguish car fire in Towson parking garage

Firefighters extinguished a car fire in a parking garage in Towson on Wednesday evening, according to Baltimore County fire officials. The fire started in a parking garage at 2 Joppa Rd E., fire officials said. The car was parked on a floor below the street, according to fire officials. The parking garage's fire alarm and sprinkler system activated in response to the fire, fire officials said. The sprinklers were able to contain the fire, according to fire officials. Fire crews encountered heavy smoke conditions but were able to extinguish the fire and remove the vehicle, fire officials said. The fire is currently under investigation.
WJZ-TV CBS 13 Baltimore

Police: 6 dead after driver loses control, crashes in work zone on I-695 in Baltimore County

VIDEO: Maryland State Police have confirmed at least six highway workers were killed in a crash on Interstate 695 in Baltimore County on Wednesday afternoon. Around 12:40 p.m., state troopers responded to a report of a two-vehicle crash involving pedestrians in a work zone at the inner loop of I-695 at Security Boulevard. Initial investigation reveals that the driver of an Acura, later identified as Lisa Adrienna Lea, 54, of Randallstown, was traveling down the road when she attempted to change lanes and struck the front corner panel on the passenger side of a Volkswagen. This is when investigators say Lea lost control of her car and entered the work zone traveling in between temporary dividing walls, striking multiple construction workers before overturning and coming to a stop.
WUSA-TV CBS 9 Washington DC

Region: Large brush fire sparks at Rock Creek Park in DC

VIDEO: Crews have extinguished a large brush fire in Northwest D.C. According to tweets from DC Fire and EMS, the brush fire sparked at Rock Creek Park near Beach Drive and Piney Branch Parkway around 1 p.m. DC Fire and EMS shared video on Twitter of crews using hose lines in an attempt to protect homes on Quincy Street where the fire was traveling uphill. In a tweet, the fire department said all homes were protected. Around 2:30 p.m. DC Fire had the fire contained but was working to extinguish hotspots. The fire was upgraded to a two-alarm fire, signaling the need for more firefighters on scene. The National Park Service claimed in a release Wednesday evening that no personal property was damaged during the fire. There is no word on what may have caused the fire at this time.
WUSA-TV CBS 9 Washington DC

Update: Two who died in Lexington Park fire identified

Two people died in a house fire early Monday morning in Lexington Park. The Office of the State Fire Marshal and St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office investigated the blaze in the 21700 block of Cabot Place that claimed two lives and displaced four others. “It remains under investigation,” Oliver Alkire, a senior deputy fire marshal, said Tuesday. The first 911 call was received at 1:19 a.m. on March 20 when an occupant woke up to smoke and discovered a fire within the basement, according to a release from the fire marshal’s office. The person who discovered the fire and two others escaped the two-story home. Upon the arrival of firefighters, they were told two people were still trapped inside the home. They later subsequently located the two victims on the second floor, identified as Jerome Garcia Barnes, 59, and Mary Jacqueline Queen, 62.
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