WESTMINSTER, Md. — A Monday morning fire claimed the life of a Westminster bicycle shop owner.
Flames broke out at Whites Bicycles on Main Street around 5:18am.
Crews discovered the store owner, 55-year-old Bradley White, still inside the burning building. He later died at Carroll Hospital.
The fire spread to at least 10 apartments located above the bike shop and neighboring Johansson's Dining House.
“I opened up the curtains and I saw the fire department out here,” said Karen Tuohey, “I started yelling. They came… were able to come up and get me and get me out.”
Although none of the approximately 30 tenants inside the apartments were injured, they were evacuated and awaited the restoration of power to get back into their homes.
Officials credit an automated sprinkler system inside the building with extinguishing a majority of the flames, allowing for their safe escape.
There was no sprinkler coverage however in the office of the bicycle store, which is where the fire reportedly originated.
Investigators say firefighters discovered White where he had collapsed due to the smoke near the front door as he tried to get out.
They have not yet determined what caused of the fire.
