Anne Arundel Co. Records First Fire Fatality Of 2026

ANNE ARUNDEL CO., MD — A woman is dead and three others were displaced late Tuesday after a fire broke out inside a Pasadena home.

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene by officials, and later identified as Cindy Hill, who had celebrated her birthday just last week. She was 63.

The Anne Arundel County Fire Department said the incident at the 300 block of Magothy Beach Road marked the county's first fire-related fatality of the year.

Authorities say the fire was reported at about 10:50 p.m., with firefighters arriving at the scene within three minutes. It took crews about 30 minutes to extinguish the fire, which was located in the front of the home.

Officials said the three other occupants displaced by the fire were not related to Hill, noting that both the American Red Cross and Anne Arundel County Mobile Crisis Team were assisting the individuals.

Although an investigation to determine the cause of the fire remains ongoing, preliminary findings indicate the fire was accidental, authorities said. Officials said the home's smoke detectors were working at the time.