Couple Married 20 Years Dies In House Fire: Prince George's Fire Department

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — A couple married for 20 years died in a house fire Friday just before 2 a.m. According to family, the couple was set to go on a cruise Sunday.

Firefighters with the Prince George's County Fire Department responded to the house fire in the 5500 block of Ruxton Drive in Lanham. Firefighters found a two-story split foyer home engulfed in flames.

After putting out the fire, they found James and Aurielia Cannon-Bey dead inside. Another person was able to escape.

Family of the couple spoke with WUSA9 and said an uncle who lived in the basement of the home had accidentally lit a sheet on fire, which spread to the mattress. James Cannon-Bey went downstairs to help put out the fire. Cannon-Bey went back upstairs to get his wife so they could evacuate, they never made it out, family said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Approx 1:49am #PGFD units were dispatched to the 5500 block of Ruxton Dr in Lanham for a structure fire w/report of people trapped. On scene crews found a 2-story split foyer w/fire showing. 2 adults located deceased. Fire is out. Fire Investigators on scene to determine cause. pic.twitter.com/cYFplVHGgB
— Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department (@PGFDNews) February 10, 2023