Residential Fires in MD, VA, DC Leave Six Dead in Three Days
Six people have been killed in three structure fires in three days in the District, Maryland and Virginia (DMV) region.
A suspect is in custody for starting a fire in the nation's capital early Sunday that claimed the lives of two people and left an elderly woman with life-threatening injuries, WRC reported.
Firefighters found heavy fire coming from the second floor of the townhouse about 5:30 a.m. Sunday.
A 34-year-old woman and a 64-year-old man were pronounced dead after the fire while crews rescued an 85-year-old woman from the second floor.
She was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
“This is just terrible for the community," Chief John Donnelly said. "People are going to be waking up Sunday morning, you know, to find out about this."
Investigators worked at the house throughout the day. The suspect was taken into custody Sunday night,
On Friday, Prince William County, VA firefighters found heavy fire showing from a house in Montclair.
The bodies of Sameena Begum, 49, and her two sons, 13 and 8 were discovered after the fire was extinguished, according to WTOP.
The boys' father was at work when the fire started.
Officials said that due to the extent of their injuries, the medical examiner’s office will conduct autopsies to determine the cause of death, but they don’t appear to be suspicious.
People who lived the basement of the house managed to escape unharmed.
Smoke alarms were working, fire officials said, adding that the cause remains under investigation.
In Frederick County, MD on Saturday night, Myersville firefighters encountered a mobile home fully engulfed in fire.
Firefighters found an unresponsive man inside and removed him from the residence. Despite immediate EMS care, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities are working to notify next of kin, according to Frederick Ccounty fire officials.
The cause of the fire also remains under investigation.
