Cause of Fatal House Fire in Bel Air Under Investigation

First responders were called to a house fire in Bel Air Tuesday afternoon where officials said one man died.

The cause of the fire in the 1100 block of Saddleback Way remains under investigation, according to the Office of the State Fire Marshal, which is working with Maryland State Police on the case.

The body of the deceased was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for identification and to determine the cause of death, the fire marshal reported.

Crews were dispatched to the home in Vineyard Oak at 3:13 p.m. Tuesday for a fire requiring rescue, according to Jenn Chenworth, spokeswoman for the Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association.

A woman called 911 after she tried to go into her house and was met with heavy smoke upon opening the front door, 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 home, searching the first and second floors and extinguishing a fire in the living room floor area, the fire marshal said.

Firefighters found the body of the victim among debris in the basement, where investigators reported the first-floor living room had collapsed.

Nearly 50 firefighters from Bel Air, Darlington, Joppa, Fallston and Jarrettsville responded to the incident; among them, one was treated and released at the scene for a minor injury, according to the fire marshal.

Investigators determined the fire began in the living room, although the cause remains under investigation, the fire marshal reported.

The blaze resulted in $50,000 in damage to the residence, where the fire marshal said there were working smoke alarms.

The fire was knocked at 3:45 p.m., according to Rich Gardiner of the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company. He sent condolences to those impacted.

“As a community volunteer fire company, we feel the sadness at the loss of someone we protect and serve,” Gardiner said in a statement. “The membership extends their thoughts and prayers to the family of the victim as well as their friends and neighbors.”

Photo Credit: Mark Ensor, BAVFC.