Second Firefighter Dies After Baltimore Rowhome Blaze: Report

BALTIMORE, MD — A second Baltimore firefighter injured while battling a rapidly spreading fire in the city's Woodmere neighborhood last week has died, according to authorities and reports.

Lt. Dillon Rinaldo was hospitalized at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center following the Oct. 19 fire, the Baltimore Banner reported. After the weekend, his condition worsened and he died Wednesday, according to the Banner.

"He was a true hero, and his memory and legacy in Baltimore City and the Baltimore Fire Department will continue on," Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said at an event Wednesday morning, according to WBAL-TV. "His willingness to put others before himself to try to protect his community each and every day is something that we should never forget."

Prior to working for Baltimore City, Rinaldo — a New Jersey native — spent six years with the Fair Lawn Fire Department in Bergen County, New Jersey. The department also confirmed his death in a social media post.

"Dillon fought a brave fight," Fair Lawn Fire Chief Jacob Mamo wrote. "This will be a very tough time for the department and the community as we have lost a great firefighter, a great person and a great friend."

Rinaldo was among the firefighters who responded to the blaze in the 5200 block of Linden Heights Avenue around 3:45 p.m. Thursday, the Baltimore Sun reported. The flames intensified and spread to at least three homes, reports said.

At a news conference Thursday, Baltimore City Fire Chief James Wallace said firefighters had zero visibility when they entered the building, according to a separate Baltimore Banner report.. Flames quickly intensified and overwhelmed them, he said.

The fire also claimed the life of firefighter and EMT Rodney W. Pitts III, the department confirmed.

Pitts' funeral will be held Friday at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen on North Charles Street. Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday at Duda-Ruck Funeral Home on Wise Avenue.

Also injured in the blaze were Lt. Keith Brooks, Seth Robbins and Tavon Marshall, the department said.

The deaths come less than two years after three Baltimore firefighters died battling a fire in a vacant rowhome in southwest Baltimore.

Crews were called to the two-alarm fire in the 200 block of South Stricker Street on Jan. 24, 2022. The building collapsed during the firefight, trapping four first responders inside, according to authorities. Three ultimately died, officials said.