The Office of the State Fire Marshall have identified two elderly women who died during a Chestertown house fire that is still under investigation.
Firefighters were informed of the blaze in the 800 block of Washington Avenue by a passerby at 2:55 p.m. on March 3, fire officials said. Roughly 30 firefighters responded, controlling the one-alarm fire in roughly 30 minutes. While battling the flames, firefighters discovered the two women inside.
The women were identified as Helen Rebecca Rodney, the home’s 65-year-old owner, and Gwendolyn Taylor Rodney, an 80-year-old occupant of the house. The younger Rodney was originally rushed to the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center where she died of her injuries. Gwendolyn was pronounced dead at the scene. Both women’s bodies were taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore to establish the exact cause of death.
Fire officials said the blaze started in the basement, but the cause is under investigation. Roughly $40,000 dollars of damage was sustained by the home. A smoke alarm was found in the house, but fire officials did not know if it was activated.
