Resident smoking while on home oxygen causes apartment fire, investigators say

EASTON, Md. – Fire officials say a senior living apartment fire early Friday morning was caused by an occupant smoking while on home oxygen.

We’re told the fire was reported at around 3 a.m. at a three story senior living apartment building located on Mecklenburg Avenue in Easton. Firefighters responded to the one alarm fire, which was placed under control in approximately 20 minutes.

Further investigation revealed that the fire began in a third floor unit and was the result of an occupant smoking while on home oxygen. Investigators credit the activation of the building’s fire sprinkler system with containing the fire to a single unit, allowing numerous occupants to safely evacuate the building. The majority of the occupants were allowed to return to their living quarters following clearance of the fire.

Total fire damage has been estimated at $20,000.