3 People Displaced After New Year's Day Fire Destroys Harford County Home

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — Three people were displaced after a fire ripped through a Harford County home on New Year's Day, according to the state fire marshal's office.

Fire crews responded to the blaze at 1714 Scott Road in Pylesville around 3:50 a.m. on Thursday, the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal said in a news release.

According to officials, a person inside the home woke up to "popping and cracking" and discovered a fire in a second-floor bedroom. He woke his brother and mother, officials said, and they attempted to extinguish the fire with pots of water before it spread beyond their control.

Due to the home's balloon-frame type construction, officials said the fire breached the walls and extended into the attic and roof. Due to this, along with heavy hoarding conditions on the second floor of the home, officials said firefighters had difficulty extinguishing the blaze.

According to officials, the owner told fire crews there were five cats inside the home. At least one escaped, and four remain unaccounted for.

It took fire crews about three hours to bring the fire under control, and damages were estimated to be around $500,000. Officials said 50 firefighters responded to the blaze.

No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Officials said Harford County Disaster Assistance and the Red Cross are assisting the displaced residents.