Crime & Safety

Firefighter Who Died In Line Of Duty Is Harford County Resident

Fallen firefighter Nathan Flynn lived in Harford County and worked in Howard County, where he died in a seven-alarm fire.

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HARFORD COUNTY, MD — The career firefighter who died battling a seven-alarm blaze in Howard County early Monday morning is a Harford County resident.

Firefighter Nathan Flynn, 34, lived in Havre de Grace.

A 13-year veteran of the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services, Flynn was responding to the call for a reported lightning strike in Clarksville when he fell through the floor inside a residence that became engulfed in flames. It took firefighters about 10 hours to control the inferno.

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Flynn is the first career firefighter to die in the line of duty in Howard County, according to Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman.

"This is a very sad, tragic day for Howard County," Kittleman said at a news conference Monday morning outside Howard County General Hospital.

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While Flynn worked as a career firefighter in Howard County, he also served his Harford County community.

He was a member of the Susquehanna Hose Company, joining the volunteer fire company in Havre de Grace in 2017. Flynn was also a member of the Harford County Technical Rescue Team, according to Harford County Executive Barry Glassman.

"On behalf of the citizens of Harford County, we salute Nate for his service and his bravery, and we are grief-stricken for the young family that he leaves behind," Glassman said in a statement. "Our community will support them in any way that they need during this difficult time. We pray for Nate, his family, and his fire service brothers and sisters in both counties.”

Flynn is survived by his wife and children, officials said. There is a donation page set up for the family through GoFundMe.

The governor ordered flags across Maryland lowered to half-staff until the day of Flynn's interment. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Howard County Firefighter Nathan Flynn, a 13-year veteran of the department, husband and father who bravely ran toward danger ..." Gov. Larry Hogan said in a statement. "The First Lady and I send our prayers and deepest condolences to his family, fellow firefighters, and all of his friends and loved ones in the communities he selflessly served for over a decade."

The deadly house fire began shortly before 2 a.m. at a home in the 7000 block of Woodscape Road in Clarksville, Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services Deputy Chief William Anuszewski said.

As firefighters made their way inside, Flynn fell from the first floor to the basement, Anuszewski said. Mayday was called at 2:20 a.m., and an extensive search ensued to find Flynn. The fire intensified as firefighters were inside, the deputy chief said.

Crews searching for the fallen firefighter encountered heavy fire conditions in the basement, according to Anuszewski, who reported Flynn was located and removed from the building at 2:42 a.m. He was taken to Howard County General Hospital in Columbia, where he succumbed to his injuries. His family was notified of his death at approximately 5:30 a.m.

Flynn was "a heck of a firefighter," said Anuszewski, whose eyes welled up with tears at times during the press conference. "He loved the fire service. He loved his family, both his fire department family and his home family."

The fire remains under investigation and may have been caused by a lightning strike, authorities reported. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was assisting in the probe, which authorities said was standard procedure for line-of-duty deaths.

The residence where the deadly fire erupted was owned by Janet Siddiqui, according to WBAL.

Siddiqui is a pediatrician who served on the Howard County Board of Education and tried unsuccessfully to run for County Council; she was defeated in the June Democratic primary to represent District 4, which includes parts of Clarksville, Fulton, North Laurel and Columbia.

Fire officials said that three people who had been inside the home called 911 and reported a possible lightning strike, then got out of the house on their own by the time firefighters arrived.

As the flames spread throughout the home, crews from several jurisdictions arrived to assist.

The seventh alarm was called after 5 a.m., according to Howard County fire officials. Each alarm means that more personnel were needed to assist in battling the blaze.

Hours after it began, the fire continued burning at the $1.175 million house.

After 8 a.m., the fire reignited at the Siddiqui residence, where WBAL showed flames shooting out of the roof.

Crews from Howard County were assisted by firefighters from surrounding areas — including Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Montgomery and Prince George's — in fighting Monday's massive blaze.

The fire was out before noon, according to authorities, who said the residents have been displaced.


Photo courtesy of the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services.

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