3-Alarm Fire At Fuel Facility Was Fatal: Baltimore Fire Officials

BALTIMORE, MD — Firefighters battled a deadly three-alarm fire at a fuel facility in Curtis Bay on Monday morning.

Fire was showing when crews arrived in the 5200 block of Curtis Avenue before 7 a.m., according to the Baltimore City Fire Department.

The fire was fatal, the Baltimore City Fire Department reported before 8:30 a.m.

Four employees were working outside when a fire broke out and spread inside the facility, officials said.

One employee became engulfed in flames and could not escape, according to WBAL.

Earnest Cooper, 52, died at the scene, the Baltimore City Fire Department reported.

“This is truly a tragic situation,” Baltimore City Fire Chief Niles R. Ford said in a statement. “We know each of the employees tried their best to help their co-worker, but the amount of fire unfortunately became too overwhelming to handle.”

Because of the amount of flammable materials in the building, authorities said they called for a third alarm, meaning more crews responded.

"A large 3 alarm fuel facility fire is ongoing at Curtis Bay," Baltimore County Emergency Management reported at 7:45 a.m., noting the smoke south of Baltimore City. "Heavy black smoke can be seen in the area and on the horizon near the fire."