UPDATE: Residential Fire in OC Caused by Careless Smoking; One Airlifted

UPDATE: The Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office has determined that “careless smoking in bed” was the cause of a fire that sent one to a hospital on Monday afternoon.

“Ocean City firefighters acted swiftly and decisively in challenging conditions,” said Fire Marshal Matthew Owens. “Their rapid intervention gave this individual a fighting chance.”

The Fire Marshal’s Office reminds residents of the extreme dangers associated with smoking inside a home, where fires can ignite quickly. Officials say working smoke alarms remain one of the most effective life-saving tools in these situations.

OCEAN CITY, Md. – The Ocean City Fire Department responded to a residential fire on Monday afternoon.

At 4:29 p.m. on Nov. 24, crews responded to the 12000 block of Old Bridge Road following reports of a fire at a single-family home. Upon arrival on the scene, firefighters forced entry into the house and located one victim, who was successfully pulled to safety. Authorities say the fire was quickly extinguished.

One individual has been coded as a priority one patient, and is being transported by Ocean City Paramedics to the Salisbury Hangar where a Maryland State Police aviation unit will be flying them to a Baltimore-area hospital.

The Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office assisted firefighters in the incident.

This article was originally posted on Nov. 24 at 5:49 p.m.