Hoarding Fuels Fire at Havre de Grace Home: Maryland Fire Marshal

HAVRE DE GRACE, MD — Firefighters were called to a duplex at 110 and 112 Deaver Street in Havre de Grace Sunday around 1:30 p.m. for a report of a fire.

The residents owned both sides of the duplex but were living inside 110 when they smelled smoke and found heavy smoke in 112. Three residents were able to escape safely, according to the state fire marshal's office.

Firefighters and investigators later discovered what they called "extreme hoarding conditions" in both sides of the duplex. It took almost 40 firefighters an hour to gain control of the fire. The state fire marshal's office explained that hoarding increases the risk of a fire because items might crowd cooking and heating equipment, causing them to catch on fire.

"Occupants in these homes are at risk during a fire because blocked exits may prevent their escape, or materials could fall on them. In addition, hoarding puts first responders at risk due to obstructed exits, falling objects and excessive fire loading, and it impedes their ability to search out and rescue people and pets," according to the state fire marshal's office.

The home sustained $170,000 in damage and there was an additional $30,000 in loss of contents, the state fire marshal's office reported. The fire continues to be investigated.