Man killed in Waldorf house fire, Charles County officials say

WALDORF, Md. - A man was killed after a fire ripped through a rental home in Charles County on Tuesday, according to fire officials.

The blaze broke out inside a bedroom and spread to other parts of the split-level house located in the 2700 block of Berry Hills Road in Waldorf.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal said a passerby who discovered the fire called 911 at around 11:48 a.m. Tuesday. The Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department along with 45 other firefighters from nearby departments responded to the scene and it took them about 25 minutes to control the fire. Firefighters had to use a hydrant across the street, which caused the road in the area to be shut down for hours.

The victim was discovered inside the kitchen after the fire was put out, officials said. Paramedics attempted to revive the man after he was removed from the house, but were unsuccessful.

The victim's body was transported to the medical examiner's office in Baltimore for an autopsy to determine his exact cause of death.

The hot temperatures made it extra tough for the firefighters battling this blaze. Three of the first firefighters to arrive at the home were overcome by the heat as they worked to put out the fire. There was a rehab unit at the scene to help them out and treat them.

Officials said the fire caused about $300,000 worth of damage to the house and around $100,000 worth of damage to items.

Another renter who lives at the home said he was not there when the fire happened. He told FOX 5 that he has lived at the house for about six months and lost almost everything in the fire. He is being assisted by the American Red Cross.

The deceased man was in his 50s, according to the roommate. Officials have not released the victim's name at this time.

It is unknown if there were working smoke alarms inside the home, according to fire officials.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The Charles County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation's Division is assisting in the investigation of the fire.