Fundraiser Continues For Family Whose Father Died In House Fire

GLEN BURNIE, MD — An online fundraiser continues to help the family of a Glen Burnie man who was killed in a Jan. 30 house fire that also injured six people, two critically. The Anne Arundel County Fire Department says George Christopher Kouimanis, 37, a father of two young sons, died in the blaze, which is believed to have been accidental and started in the home's basement.

Friends have started the "In Memory of George Kouimanis" page on GoFundMe, with a goal of $10,000. As of Feb. 5, the online fundraiser has brought in $11,405 in donations.

"On Wednesday January 30, 2019 a house fire broke out resulting in the passing of one of our fellow Caliber Teammates George Kouimanis," the GoFundMe organizer posted. "George is survived by his two 6yr old twin boys. We are asking for help ensuring that George's children have the resources to make it through this tragic time and also George's parents have help with funeral expenses."

Donations from across the country have been made to help the family.

"Praying for the family and for the Good Lord to give this family strength and guidance during this tragic loss," wrote one donor online.

Multiple 911 calls from neighbors and passersby reported the fire in the one-story home. Fire officials say Kouimanis was removed from the basement by firefighters and taken by paramedics to Baltimore Washington Medical Center with critical, life-threatening injuries. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

A 32-year-old woman was taken to the Burn Center at John Hopkins Bayview Hospital with critical, life-threatening injuries. A 5-year-old boy is being treated for critical, possibly life-threatening injuries at the pediatric trauma center at John Hopkins Hospital.

Victims and responders told investigators that the 32-year-old woman was able to escape the home with the 5-year-old child before firefighters arrived. Kouimanis was unable to get out of the house.

Paramedics took a 31-year-old man and three females ages 3, 22 and 44 to Baltimore Washington Medical Center with minor injuries. They were all occupants of the home and evacuated before firefighters arrived.

The fire was contained to the basement and no dollar loss has been released, the department said in a report. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Anne Arundel County Fire Department Fire and Explosives Investigation Unit.

Photo of George Kouimanis and his sons, courtesy of GoFundMe, a Patch business partner.