Pets Rescued, 9 People Displaced In Fire That Damaged 3 Townhouses: Official

JOPPATOWNE, MD — Several pets were rescued from three burning homes and nine people were displaced after a fire broke out in a townhouse that quickly spread to two other homes. Two cats, however, could not be saved. A GoFundMe has been set up to help the main homeowner and her granddaughter who lost everything in the fire.

Around 2:20 p.m. Monday, Harford County Department of Emergency Services dispatchers alerted a first alarm for a house fire at 608 Shore Drive, Joppa. The Joppa Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company assistant chief arrived in less than a minute and told responding units that there was smoke showing from the front and fire showing from the back of a two-story townhouse. The fire quickly began to spread to two other homes and within minutes, a second alarm was sounded, according to the Harford County Department of Emergency Services.

It took 75 firefighters from nine fire departments and companies an estimated 30 minutes to bring the fire under control. There were no injuries and several pets were rescued. The Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal is investigating the cause and origin of the fire, including K-9 Blondie. Harford County Government Disaster Assistance is helping nine people from two of the homes that were damaged. Structural damage and loss of contents has been estimated at $250,000.

Homeowner Shelbie LeBeau's fellow church member Beth Edwards has put together a GoFundMe to help LeBeau since all of her belongings were lost in the fire and the two surviving cats need medical attention. Her grandchild, 20, also lived with LeBeau and lost everything, too.

"We all know insurance can take a long time to pay out a claim and there is an urgent need for many belongings to be replaced immediately, as well as vet bills for the surviving pet. Any amount is deeply appreciated. Whether or not you're financially able to donate, please keep this family in your prayers and share this campaign to your social media pages. Thank you and God bless," Edwards wrote.