Wet Conditions and Cluttered Home Complicate Already Destructive Two-Alarm Fire

In addition to the flames, firefighters had to endure heavy rain and a cluttered home Dec. 12 while extinguishing a fire in Freetown.

Upon arriving at the home, located at 470 McLarin Drive, fire was seen out of every window at the front of the house as well as thick smoke billowing, said Capt. James Rostek, Anne Arundel County Police Spokesman.

Lee McLarin called 911 with firefighters arrived on the scene at about 12:45 p.m. After firemen and women arrived at the home, McLarin, 78, was taken to a local hospital after experiencing a medical emergency, Rostek said.

Around 12:54 p.m., the scene was upgraded to a two-alarm fire as firefighters required additional assistance due to the conditions and an excessive amount of "stuff," said Rostek. Large amounts of miscellaneous items were visible through the blown out windows and broken glass around the home. 

"It was a mess," Rostek said. " It's most likely going to be uninhabitable." 

Even though the fire was extinguished around 1:44 p.m., Rostek said firefighters needed to stay on the scene for several hours due to the large amounts of overhaul. 

With so many loose items in the house firefighters must execute a sweep of the home ensuring that no smaller, kindling fires remain.

"They'll be here for at least two more hours," Rostek said at about 3 p.m. 

The status of McLarin also was unknown at about 3 p.m. The cause of the fire is unknown and its investigation is pending.