Baltimore Firefighter Killed, 4 Injured Battling Rowhome Blaze

BALTIMORE, MD — A Baltimore City firefighter died and four others were injured Thursday while battling a rapidly spreading fire in the city's Woodmere neighborhood, according to authorities and multiple reports.

The blaze erupted around 3:45 p.m. Thursday in the 5200 block of Linden Heights Avenue, 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 the Baltimore Banner. Flames quickly intensified and overwhelmed them, he said.

“A hero lost their life tonight putting Baltimore first,” Mayor Brandon Scott said at a news conference, according to reports. He then called on the city to “wrap their arms around” members of the fire department, reports said.

The dead firefighter has not yet been identified. Reports said the other four firefighters suffered varying degrees of burns. Three are in serious condition.

The death comes less than two years after three Baltimore firefighters died battling a fire in a vacant row house in southwest Baltimore.

• RELATED: 3 Firefighters Died In Baltimore Row House Fire, Mayor Says

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.

In a statement posted on Facebook, Wallace called the loss an "indescribable tragedy."

"Let us find solace in the knowledge that he lived a life of courage, dedication, and service, and that his memory will forever be etched in our hearts," Wallace said. "We stand together as a family, supporting one another through this unimaginable pain."

Former Gov. Larry Hogan also released a statement, saying "our hearts are broken."

"When others run from the fire and danger, our firefighters run toward it," Hogan said. "We are forever grateful for each of our state's first responders who continuously put their lives on the line to protect the rest of us, and who brought honor to their badge every moment until their last act of duty."