Cat Died In Joppa House Fire: Officials

JOPPA, MD — A cat perished in a house fire that broke out Sunday in Joppa, according to investigators. Old Joppa Road was closed Sunday afternoon as several fire companies responded to the incident.

The Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company reported that at 12:10 p.m., its crew was at the scene of the house fire in the 1700 block of Old Joppa Road.

The homeowner reported the fire at 12:05 p.m. when she and others saw smoke coming from the house while attending a child's birthday party at her daughter's home next door, according to the fire marshal.

Firefighters from Abingdon, Bel Air, Fallston and Kingsville assisted Joppa-Magnolia in battling the blaze. Officials said that Old Joppa Road was closed between Old Mountain Road North to Jerusalem Road during the firefighting operation.

Within 10 minutes, fire officials said the blaze had been brought under control.

A dog was able to escape, while a cat perished, the fire marshal reported, noting that no humans were injured.

The fire marshal determined the fire began in the basement. The cause remains under investigation.

Before the fire was reported, around 11:35 a.m., the homeowner had found a sump pump failed at the residence, according to the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

Photo of Joppa house fire courtesy of the Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company.