House Blaze Kills Woman, Injures Firefighter In Western MD: Officials

CORRIGANVILLE, MD — A woman died and a firefighter was hurt in a house fire Friday in Western Maryland, officials said.

Investigators have not yet released the name of the Allegany County woman, but they said the 69-year-old was from Corriganville.

First responders did not hear any smoke alarms sounding, and they didn't find any evidence of smoke detectors inside the house.

“You only have seconds to escape a fire,” Acting State Fire Marshal Jason M. Mowbray said in a press release. “Please, make sure you check your smoke alarms today. The sooner you hear an alarm, the sooner you can get out, and the better chance you and your family have to escape. It can be a matter of life or death for you and your loved ones.”

A 911 caller reported a residential blaze with a possible entrapment around 11:53 a.m.

Crews responded within minutes to the 11600 block of Proenty Road NW in Corriganville and found heavy fire throughout the two-story home.

Dozens of firefighters responded to the three-alarm blaze, which took nearly an hour to bring under control.

Once extinguished, crews said they found the woman's body inside.

The victim was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy to confirm her identity and determine the cause of her death.

One firefighter sustained minor injuries, a press release said. They were treated and released on the scene.

Investigators are still looking into the origin and cause of the fire.

This map shows the area where the Office of the State Fire Marshal said the fatal fire happened.