MD Boy, 11, Dies In Early-Morning Fire

PARSONSBURG, MD — An 11-year-old boy died Friday morning in a house fire in Wicomico County, according to Maryland state fire officials.

At around 4:20 a.m., the Parsonsburg Volunteer Fire Department and surrounding departments responded to a house fire at 31615 Zion Road in Parsonsburg, the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal said in a statement. When crews arrived, they found heavy flames coming from the one-and-a-half-story home.

Three adults escaped the residence and told firefighters a child was still inside, officials said. Despite rescue efforts, the boy was later pronounced dead at the scene.

“The loss of a child in such a tragic manner is devastating beyond words," Acting State Fire Marshal Jason Mowbray said in a statement. "Our investigators are working diligently to determine what happened, and our focus is on supporting this family and the Parsonsburg community as they grieve."

Officials did not release the names of the child or his family.

A preliminary investigation determined smoke alarms were present and activated during the fire. The exact origin and cause of the blaze remain under investigation; however, investigators said the fire likely started in the rear of the home.

A joint investigation between the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division remains ongoing.