Victim Identified In Fatal Christmas House Fire, 6 Residents Displaced

Updated at 1:45 p.m.

JOPPA, MD — The victim in a fatal Christmas Day house fire in Joppa was identified by authorities on Thursday.

State fire investigators said Thursday they've identified the man killed in the blaze as Roger Butash, 69. He lived at the house with six other family members, including his adult daughter, Courtney Butash, and her son.

The sheriff's office said there is no indication of foul play or any suspicious circumstances in Butash's death.

The Joppa Magnolia Volunteer Fire Co. said a second resident was evaluated for smoke inhalation.

Firefighters from Joppa Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company were called to the single-family home at 222 Doncaster Road about 6:50 a.m. and found the structure blanketed in flames with heavy smoke. The 36 firefighters on the scene gained control of the fire within 30 minutes.

While searching the home, they found Roger Butash dead in the basement, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office.

The fire's origin and cause remain under investigation, and investigators have been unable to locate working smoke alarms in the home, the fire marshal said.

"I, and every member of the Office of the State Fire Marshal, extend our sincere condolences to the victim's family and friends. It (was) a heartbreaking day for Harford County," said Acting State Fire Marshal Jason M. Mowbray.

Other fire departments responded to the house fire to provide mutual aid including the Aberdeen Proving Ground Fire & Emergency Services Local F-267 and Baltimore County.

A GoFundMe has been created for the family.