Couple Who Died In Joppa House Fire Identified By Authorities

JOPPA, MD — A husband and wife who died after a fire destroyed their home Wednesday morning in Joppa have been identified by Harford County authorities.

The victims have been identified by officials as W. Cliff Long, 82, and Miriam Edgerley Long, 81. The couple lived in the home.

About 8:10 a.m., a neighbor saw smoke and flames coming out of the Longs' home. A chief officer with the Joppa Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company and a deputy with the Harford County Sheriff's Office deputy arrived at the home in the unit block of Gunpowder Drive within minutes. They found heavy fire at the residence and were told two people could be inside, according to the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal.

The responders found Cliff Long near the front door and took him outside for medical treatment; and were told that another person could still be inside. Firefighters later found Miriam Long inside the home, the sheriff's office said. Both were pronounced dead later.

"Our hearts break for Mr. and Mrs. Long," said Acting State Fire Marshal Jason M. Mowbray. "These are devastating reminders of the importance of fire safety, especially having working smoke alarms. Please check your smoke alarms, have an escape plan, and practice it. If a fire should break out — get out, stay out."

More than 20 Marylanders have died in fires this year, Mowbray said.

Deputy state fire marshals have preliminarily concluded the fire started in a room on the front left side of the home; however, the cause remains under investigation.

Authorities have found no evidence of arson and will continue to focus their investigation on all accidental causes. No smoke alarms were found in the home.

The fatal fire is being investigated by both the state fire marshal's office and the Harford County Sheriff's Office.