3 Homes Damaged By West River House Fire: Officials

WEST RIVER, MD — Two West River residents were displaced by a house fire, which also damaged two nearby homes, Anne Arundel County Fire officials said. The house fire was reported just before 5 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 1, at 1002 Henry Ave.

No cause of the fire has been released for the blaze in the two-story, single-family house. The Anne Arundel County Fire Department Fire and Explosives Investigation Unit is working to determine a cause. It's unknown if the house had working smoking detectors.

According to the fire department, noise from the rear of the house awakened the residents. They went to check, saw flames on the back of their home and immediately fled. When firefighters arrived they saw fire on the rear and side of the house that extended to the second floor and attic inside the structure. Fire was also spreading to two adjacent homes.

A second alarm was called that brought 72 firefighters to the scene. The bulk of the fire was extinguished in about 20 minutes, with the flames under control about 30 minutes later.

The Red Cross assisted two adults and two children who have been displaced by the fire damage.

The two adjoining homes sustained damage to siding but are still habitable.

There were no injuries reported.

The Annapolis Fire Department, Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department, and Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Departments all responded to the fire.