Joppa House Fire: Officials Say $40K In Damage, Cat Perished

JOPPA, MD — A house fire in Joppa Monday afternoon caused extensive damage, according to the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Two people required medical attention, and a cat died in the blaze, officials said.

An 18-year-old discovered the fire in the living room of his parents' home at 2:45 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 7. He was home alone at the time, authorities said.

He escaped the fire in the 1000 block of Emmerick Drive along with two dogs, the fire marshal said. However, officials said a cat perished in the blaze.

About 25 firefighters responded and brought the fire under control within 10 minutes, according to the fire marshal.

One Joppa-Magnolia firefighter was treated at the scene for an injury, and officials said the teen who reported the fire was taken to a local hospital for observation.

The blaze began in the living room, fire investigators found. There was extensive smoke and soot damage throughout the home, officials said, noting the Red Cross was assisting the residents.

There was $40,000 in damage; of that, $20,000 was structural, while $20,000 of items inside the home were lost.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Photos courtesy of the Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company.