Man Suffers Third-Degree Burns, Dies in Duplex Fire

OXON HILL, MD — A man died from third-degree burns when his Oxon Hill duplex caught on fire Friday afternoon, authorities say.

Prince George’s County firefighters and medics were called about 12:15 p.m. to a fire in the two-story brick duplex in the 5200 block of Leverett Street.

Firefighters extinguished a fire in the first-floor living room, and found the home's resident at the fire site. Bernie Hayes, 68, was suffering from burns over most of his body. He was taken in critical condition by medics to the burn unit at Medstar Washington Hospital Center.

Hayes died from his injuries late Friday evening, authorities said.

Fire investigators continue to work to determine the cause of the fire, which appears to be accidental.

Damage to the duplex is estimated at $20,000.

The home was equipped with working smoke alarms.

Prince George’s County Firefighters and medics returned to the Leverett Road neighborhood Saturday morning and went door-to-door to check the status of smoke alarms. Firefighters tested the alarms to ensure work, and if an alarm was not working, a new 10-year smoke alarm was installed at no cost to the resident.

Any resident of a home in Prince George’s County can have a new 10-year smoke alarm installed in their home. If you can not afford to purchase and install your own smoke alarm, call 311 and a firefighter will come to your home and install one for you at no cost.