UPDATE: Laurel fire injures three people, destroys home

9/13 UPDATE: Fire marshals have determined that this fire was accidental in nature.

Further investigation revealed that the fire began in the first floor kitchen and was caused by cooking materials igniting on the stove top.

The 76-year-old and 71-year-old victims remain hospitalized in serious condition.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

LAUREL, Del. – The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s office is investigating a house fire in Laurel that injured three people.

The blaze broke out shortly before 3:30 p.m., Tuesday in the 100 block of West Second Street. When the Laurel Fire Department arrived on the scene they found smoke and flames engulfing the three-story house.

Firefighters entered the burning home and rescued three occupants. A 76-year-old female resident was transported to Nanticoke Hospital in critical condition suffering from smoke inhalation and burns. She was later flown by helicopter to the Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland, Pennsylvania.

A 71-year-old female resident was also transported to the Nanticoke Hospital in serious condition for smoke inhalation. In addition, a 68-year-old female was also treated at Nanticoke for smoke inhalation and burns. She is listed in stable condition.

State fire investigators are currently investigating the fire’s origin and cause. Damages have been estimated at $175,000.

The American Red Cross was contacted and requested to provide emergency assistance to the victims. A total of four residents have been displaced with several cats missing from the home.

Smoke alarms inside the house did operate. There were no residential sprinklers and the fire remains under investigation.