Fire Marshal Identifies Victim in Fatal Bel Air House Fire

Authorities identified the victim in Tuesday’s fatal house fire as a 73-year-old man.

Jaswant Singh, 73, was found deceased in the home in the 1100 block of Saddleback Way, according to the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

The medical examiner has determined the cause of death, the fire marshal reported. Officials say they are not releasing that information as detectives continue investigating the cause of the blaze.

Foul play is not suspected, the deputy state fire marshal told The Aegis.

Four people lived in the house in addition to Singh, who was the grandfather in the home, according to ABC 2 News.

Related: Cause of Fatal House Fire in Bel Air Under Investigation

The homeowner, Singh’s daughter, discovered the fire at 3:13 p.m. on Tuesday and called 911, according to the fire marshal.

She tried opening the garage door and front door but could not due to heavy smoke and told emergency dispatchers she thought her father was still inside the home, the fire marshal reported.

Deputies from the Harford County Sheriff’s Office were first at the scene and, learning that the woman’s father was most likely inside, attempted to enter, but could not due to heavy smoke and heat, according to the report.

When firefighters arrived soon after, they went into the smoke-filled residence, searching the first and second floors and extinguishing a fire in the living room floor area, the fire marshal said.

Firefighters found Singh’s body among debris in the basement, according to the fire marshal.

“A team of deputy state fire marshals determined the fire originated on the first floor of the home and collapsed into the basement along with the victim,” the fire marshal reported.

Detectives from Maryland State Police and the fire marshal’s office are investigating the incident.

One firefighter was treated and released at the scene for a minor injury, according to the fire marshal.

Photo Credit: Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association.