Teen Dies In Columbia Townhouse Fire, 2 People Injured

COLUMBIA, MD — Howard County Fire officials have released the name of a 15-year-old girl who died in a townhouse fire Wednesday evening in Columbia. Two other people were hurt in the blaze.

Police said the victim was Katie Chase, 15, who lived in the townhome. Investigators have determined the cause of the fire was accidental.

Firefighters from the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services were called at 7:30 p.m. to the 11500 block of Shell Flower Lane in Columbia for a townhouse fire with a report of someone trapped inside. Crews found fire visible from the second floor of the home when they arrived.

Firefighters searched the townhome and found Chase dead inside. Two people were taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Chase was a 10th-grade student at Wilde Lake High School and a member of the Wilde Lake 'ohana, including the marching band.

No information has been released yet about a funeral service

Principal Marcy Leonard sent a letter to the Wilde Lake school community, WBAL reported, that said, in part:

"Having been given permission to do so from the family, we shared this sad news with students in their third period classes this morning. During these guided discussions, we gave the students an opportunity to ask questions, validated their feelings and reactions, identified coping strategies, and shared information on additional resources available at school throughout the day. Members of our Student Services Staff and the HCPSS Crisis Intervention Team are available for any students who need individual assistance. The counselors will contact the parents of any students who access this support.

"The death of any member of our school community is a loss, and an unexpected death may be especially difficult to understand or accept. ...

"Please contact your child's counselor or one of our administrators if you have any concerns about how your child is coping with this sad news. The HCPSS Mental Health and Wellness page on the school system website also has many links to resources in our county. Following is the link to the webpage.

"At this time, we do not have any information about services and will share any information we receive as guided by the family's wishes. Thank you so much for keeping Katherine's family in our thoughts and hearts."

Crews brought the fire under control in about 20 minutes.

The Red Cross is assisting the home's residents.