1 Day, 2 Fatal Fires in Carroll Co.

State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci is issuing a call forMarylan ders to check theirsmoke alarms afterinvestigating two fatal fires in Carroll County within hours of each otheron February 20, 2023. Just after0830, WestminsterVolunteerFire Department and nearby departments were called fora reported fire at the Boston Inn on Baltimore Boulevard afterotherguests observed smoke coming from one of the rooms. When firefighters arrived, they discovered a nearly self-extinguished fire and a 48-year-old male victim inside. The victim was pronounced deceased, and Deputy State Fire Marshals investigated the cause. Investigators believe the fire occurred hours earlierbefore the otherguests called 911. At around 1420, Taneytown VolunteerFire Company and surrounding depart- ments responded to Daisy Drive fora dwelling fire involving a twostory, middle-of-the-group townhouse with possible entrapment. Firefighters arrived within minutes and learned a motherand her three-year-old daughterhad escaped; however, the grandmother was trapped upstairs. Firefighters entered the home and located the 68-year-old victim. Life-saving efforts were started, and she was transported to Carroll Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries. Deputy State Fire Marshals have confirmed both fires to be unrelated.

- Photos courtesy of Carroll Fire News; submitted by Office Maryland State Fire Marshal