Maryland State Fire Marshal
News Release Larry Hogan
Brian S. Geraci
Governor
State Fire Marshal
CAUSE DETERMINED IN WALDORF DOUBLE FATAL FIRE WALDORF, Maryland (October 20, 2015) - The Office of the State Fire has determined the origin and cause of a double fatal fire that claimed the life of two Waldorf family members. Investigators determined the fire originated within a hallway which separated the victims’ bedrooms and concluded the cause was an electrical failure due to an overloaded extension cord. The investigation revealed Zavion Atkins (6) and his great-grandmother Bernice Washington (68) were asleep in separate bedrooms when the fire occurred. Four other family members were able to escape after being alerted to the sound of a smoke alarm. The 12:34 AM fire at 15101 Poplar Hill Road was brought under control by numerous Charles County and Prince Georges County fire departments. The single-story modular home was heavily damaged during the blaze. Charles County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the initial investigation, which is standard operating procedure in fatal related fires. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner revealed the victims succumbed to smoke inhalation and thermal burn injuries.
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The Office of the State Fire Marshal is an agency of the Department of State Police dedicated to helping protect citizens from fire and explosion through a comprehensive program of education, inspection, investigation and fire protection engineering. For more information on fire safety call 1-800-525-3124, log onto our website at: www.mdsp.org/firemarshal and/or http://facebook.com/MarylandStateFireMarshal.
Media contact: S/DSFM-Asst. PIO Oliver Alkire; 240-580-7934
1201 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208