A five-alarm fire has struck multiple homes in the Hampden community early Tuesday morning, forcing residents to evacuate. According to Baltimore City Fire Department, shortly before 6:00 a.m., units arrived at the 3400 block of Keswick Road for an active fire involving multiple rowhomes. The fire was initially called in as a 3-alarm fire but was upgraded to a 5-alarm fire as it spread.
Officials are reporting that they are searching for two people who were believed to be in the house the fire originated from. Fire officials reported that one person was sent to a hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation.
Video Below: Raw – Officials provide an update on 5-alarm fire in Hampden
“There have been no firefighter injuries. However, we are in the process of searching the original fire building for what has been reported as two occupants that may be missing,” Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace said. “At this time, the structural integrity of the building is in question, and we are having to methodically bring in heavy equipment and slow our searches down due to concerns about a second collapse.”
Fire officials were informed by family members that two people are missing, and the search continues as well as the investigation to determine the cause. Two homes have collapsed, and as many as ten homes have been affected as the fire quickly spread along the roofs. The number of displaced individuals is unknown at this time.
This story will be updated.
Plain Text Version:
BALTIMORE — A five-alarm fire has struck multiple homes in the Hampden community early Tuesday morning, forcing residents to evacuate. According to Baltimore City Fire Department, shortly before 6:00 a.m., units arrived at the 3400 block of Keswick Road for an active fire involving multiple rowhomes. The fire was initially called in as a 3-alarm fire but was upgraded to a 5-alarm fire as it spread.
Officials are reporting that they are searching for two people who were believed to be in the house the fire originated from. Fire officials reported that one person was sent to a hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation.
“At this time, the structural integrity of the building is in question, and we are having to methodically bring in heavy equipment and slow our searches down due to concerns about a second collapse,” said Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace.
Two homes have collapsed, and as many as ten homes have been affected as the fire quickly spread along the roofs. The number of displaced individuals is unknown at this time.
This story will be updated.