1 killed in Charles County motel fire

One person was found dead after firefighters responded to a fire at a Charles County motel on Sunday.

Crews arrived at the scene at 6365 Crain Highway in La Plata around 11:20 p.m.

They say the fire at the South Winds Motel was under control in about seven minutes.

Police tried to rescue the occupant - who has not been identified - but they were rebuffed by the extreme heat and smoke.

According to fire officials, there were no working smoke detectors in the building.

The victim was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy.