Fire Kills Pasadena Man Who Used Wheelchair: Officials

PASADENA, MD — A Wednesday house fire killed a Pasadena man who used a wheelchair, officials said.

Crews identified the victim as 54-year-old John Salvatore Billing, who lived in the home with his mother. The Anne Arundel County Fire Department said Billing's mother was not home at the time, and nobody else was hurt.

Officials said neighbors saw the flames from across nearby Back Creek and called 911 at 1:09 p.m.

Crews said they went to the area across the waterway and found the two-story, split-level house on fire in the 7900 block of Central Road.

First responders thought Billing was still in the single-family house. Firefighters said they searched the home and found Billing dead inside.

The fire department said it brought the victim outside and pronounced him dead at the scene.

"We encourage all our community members to talk with their families about a escape plan in case of a fire," the fire department said in a press release. "Please visit our website at aacounty.org/fire and click on the Public Education tab for more information about fire escape plans."

A team of 66 firefighters said it controlled the one-alarm blaze in about an hour.

The Anne Arundel County Fire Department thanked these stations for their assistance:

• Naval Support Activity Annapolis Fire Department
• Annapolis Fire Department

Investigators are still determining the cause, area of origin and total dollar loss of the fire.

Officials said the home had smoke detectors.

This map shows the area where crews said the fire happened.