Fire In Parsonsburg Claims Two Lives, Firefighter Injured

Parsonsburg, Md.- The Maryland State Fire Marshall announced that a fire in Parsonsburg killed two people and sent an off-duty firefighter to the hospital early Sunday morning.

Fire officials say a passerby called 911 just before 2:40 a.m. when he observed smoke and flames coming from the home at 32904 Old Ocean City Road. He then knocked on the front door and windows, attempting to wake the owners. At the same time, an off-duty Ocean City firefighter who also volunteers with the Parsonsburg Volunteer Fire Company arrived on the scene.

The member kicked in the rear door in hopes of locating someone and discovered a victim. He attempted to remove the victim but was overcome by the smoke and had to exit the home for his safety. Maryland State Police aviation Command later flew him to a Baltimore-area hospital, where he was reported to be in stable condition.

Firefighters with the Parsonsburg Volunteer Fire Company and surrounding departments arrived and quickly upgraded the incident to two alarms. After arriving on Scene the firefighter realized the fire had spread throughout the two-story home and that sections of the home had collapsed. It took around 100 firefighters nearly two hours to bring the fire under control. Firefighters later located the remains of two victims inside.

Acting State Fire Marshal Jason M. Mowbray said

“This is a heartbreaking incident for the Parsonburg community and for the fire service. An off-duty firefighter did what firefighters do — he acted without hesitation to try to save lives. We are grateful he is expected to recover. Tragically, two lives were lost, which reminds us how quickly fires can turn deadly. Every home should have working smoke alarms and a home escape plan.”

The origin and cause are both under investigation. Deputy State Fire Marshals have not determined whether smoke alarms were present. The victims were taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, where they will be positively identified and have the cause of death determined

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