Woman, Cat Escape Joppa House Fire, Cause Under Investigation: Maryland Fire Marshal

JOPPA, MD — A woman was evaluated for possible injuries and home heavily damaged when a fire broke out in a Joppa house, officials say.

A passerby discovered the fire that is believed to have started on a side porch of the home located at 2402 Woodlea Drive around 11:43 a.m. July 27. A 34-year-old woman was sleeping in the basement when she woke up to a neighbor banging on the door. She was able to escape with the family cat without injury, according to the state fire marshal, but was later taken to the hospital to be evaluated for possible injuries.

Two other residents weren't home at the time the fire broke out but two vehicles near the home sustained significant direct and radiant heat damage, the state fire marshal's office's stated.

K9 Blondie assisted investigators at the scene and while the cause remains under investigation, deputy state fire marshals cannot rule out discarded cigarettes or an electrical failure, according to the state fire marshal's office. Estimated loss and damage has been estimated at $150,000.

Approximately 40 firefighters from the Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company spent around 15 minutes battling the blaze of the one-story, single family home.