Three children died following a house fire in the Rosemont neighborhood early Saturday morning in West Baltimore.
firefighters transported five people – two adults and the three children – from the scene of a house fire in the 3000 block of Brighton Street at a hospital, the Baltimore City Fire Department said on social media at 4:34 a.m. Less than an hour later, at 5:29 a.m., the department said all three children died of their injuries. .
“I just saw the place burn,” Charles Pleasant said from a porch across the street. “Around three o’clock in the morning, I heard the woman screaming. The lady ran out, and she was saying “my babies, my babies, someone go get my babies”.
Pleasant said he first heard the din around 2:30 or 3 a.m.
Baltimore City Fire Department Chief Roman Clark said firefighters pulled out a woman and the three children, ages 1, 2 and 7, while the adult man was in the car. outside when firefighters responded.
“We rescued an adult and three children. Another male victim was outside and we also transported him to the hospital,” Clark said.
The woman was still in critical condition on Saturday afternoon when the man was released.
Clark declined to say whether or not the three children were related or siblings or much about the fire.
“We have investigators on site. They are investigating the possible cause of this particular fire,” Clark said. “That’s about all I have at the moment.”
In a statement, Mayor Brandon Scott said he was saddened by the loss of the children and grateful to the firefighters and first responders who brought the blaze under control.
“I am heartbroken to learn of the tragic fire that claimed the life of a family in our community last night. Losing a loved one is a devastating experience, and my thoughts and prayers are with family and friends. who are mourning this terrible loss,” Scott said. “To the family and friends of those who perished in this fire, please know that our entire community is here to support you. We are with you in your grief and offer you our deepest condolences.”
Councilman John Bullock, who represents the area, said he spoke with Clark on Saturday.
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“It is a heartbreaking situation for the family and the surrounding community. The main concern is really about those who have been injured, and we also have to think about what happens next in the neighborhood,” Bullock said. “It really shows the importance of fire safety in our communities — having working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and having an exit plan. Our fire department is doing a good job doing neighborhood sweeps, but we need to do more to make sure people have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
The property had received four citations from the city — two in May 2022 and two last January — for trash that had accumulated in and around the property. Two homes directly east of the property are listed as vacant and derelict in city records.
Maria Bailey, who runs a day care center a few doors down from her home, said the commotion woke her up.
“There were three fire engines, police and ambulances. I heard them and looked out,” Bailey said. “The family was very friendly. If you asked them to try to help you, they would help you.
Children’s toys and a family photo were part of a pile of debris in the front yard of the townhouse late Saturday morning.
“I saw them yesterday playing tag in front, two of them about as tall,” neighbor Jerome Tuggle said, lowering his hand around his knee.
“I have lived here since July. This is the first incident,” he said. “It’s normally pretty quiet here.”
