Police ID Man Killed In House Fire Near Parkville

PARKVILLE, MD — A man and his dog died in a house fire over the weekend near Parkville, Baltimore County public safety officials reported Monday morning.

Firefighters from the Parkville station arrived at 3:44 a.m. on Sunday to find fire shooting through the roof of a home in the 8700 block of Lackawanna Avenue, which was engulfed by flames, officials said. For an hour, it was too dangerous for crews to enter.

Daniel James Hutchins, 28, was trapped on the second floor of his home, where crews found him deceased, officials said. A dog also perished.

Two people on the first floor of the residence escaped along with one dog before the stairway collapsed, according to authorities; Hutchins' girlfriend and a friend had fallen asleep in the living room, WJZ reported.

There is a GoFundMe account set up to cover funeral expenses for Hutchins and to help his girlfriend, Samantha Hannibal, and her daughter, who was not home at the time of the fire. The goal of the GoFundMe was to raise $50,000; and by midday Monday, donations totaled more than $14,800.

While the cause of the house fire remains under investigation, officials said that arson had been ruled out.

"When fire crews did enter the building, they found that the fire had burned multiple holes through the floor, as well as a 20-by-10-foot hole in the roof," public safety officials reported. At one point, commanders ordered everyone out for safety reasons due to the unstable conditions, authorities said.

Multiple fires over the weekend claimed the lives of Marylanders and their pets, prompting the Office of the State Fire Marshal to issue the following safety reminders:

• Install smoke alarms on every floor. Change their batteries every year, replacing after 10 years. Swap 9 volt battery-only smoke alarms out for 10-year sealed battery smoke alarms.
• Close bedroom doors when you sleep. This will allow additional time to escape in the event of a fire. If a fire occurs inside your home, close doors as you escape to help contain the fire.
• Avoid using candles in sleeping areas. Consider battery-operated flameless candles.
• Limit extension cords. Replace damaged electrical cords. Never run electrical cords under carpet or rugs.
• Plug portable space heaters directly into outlets. Extension cords or power strips may overheat and cause fire.
• Clean stovetops and clear stove area of combustibles. Turn off stove if leaving room.
• Have chimneys cleaned and inspected. Have furnace checked and cleaned.
• Do not use accelerant in fireplace or wood stove. Burn only seasoned, dry wood.
• Keep combustibles 3 feet away from all heating appliances, wood stoves and fireplaces.
• Remove lint buildup from dryer. Replace the duct with noncombustible ducting where applicable.
• Vacuum bathroom exhaust fans to eliminate dust buildup on the motor and fan blades.
• Seal flammable liquids in containers and store away from heat.
• Use a deep ashtray and smoke outdoors if smoking. Completely extinguish smoking materials.
• Keep matches, lighters and candles away from children's reach.

The fire marshal advises practicing a home fire escape plan at least twice a year — know two ways out of every room; predetermine a meeting place outside; and in the event of a fire, get out and stay out.

Also, people who are moving are advised to check for a residential fire sprinkler system in their next home.

Image via GoFundMe.