6 People Dead, Including 4 Children, After ‘Devastating’ Fire Engulfed Maryland Home

Six people, including four children, lost their lives after a devastating fire tore through a home in Waldorf, Maryland, on Sunday, Aug. 10.

Firefighters from the Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene following reports of a large house fire with people trapped inside, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal. The home is located about 23 miles southeast of Washington, D.C.

The blaze was quickly escalated to a two-alarm fire, prompting assistance from neighboring departments, the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and Deputy State Fire Marshals.

Master Deputy State Fire Marshal Oliver Alkire told NBC 4 Washington that it took crews about an hour to bring the fire under control.

At around 5:50 p.m., officials confirmed on Facebook that six residents had died in the blaze. Nine people lived in the home on the 3000 block of Declaration Court North, Alkire told NBC 4. Three victims were found quickly, while three others were initially unaccounted for but later confirmed dead.

Of the survivors, one adult managed to escape, while two others were not at home when the fire broke out, according to the State Fire Marshal. One firefighter was hospitalized with an injury, NBC 4 reported, and WTOP noted that more than 70 fire personnel responded.

Investigators believe the fire may have started on the right side of the house in an enclosed porch, WTOP reported.

“In Charles County, we do have fires every now and then, but with the loss of life that this is … this is pretty devastating,” Bill Smith, Charles County Volunteer Fire and EMS public information officer, told ABC News.

The local medical examiner will confirm the victims’ identities, while the Office of the Fire Marshal said it would provide updates on names and ages in the coming days.

“Investigators will remain on the scene and focus on the cause of the fire,” the Office of the Fire Marshal stated on Facebook. “No evidence of a criminal act has been recovered, and we continue to examine all accidental causes. This will remain an active scene until the late evening hours.”

Acting State Fire Marshal Jason M. Mowbray added: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of six lives, including four children, in Waldorf today. Our hearts go out to the families impacted by this heartbreaking event. In this difficult time, let’s come together to support one another and reaffirm our commitment to fire safety.”