BALTIMORE — Baltimore Fire is investigating the cause of a house fire that killed two people Saturday in Northeast Baltimore. Friends of the victims tell WMAR-2 News the victims were husband and wife.
At 7 a.m., crews responded to the 4700 block of Old York Road for reports of a dwelling fire. When they got there, they discovered heavy fire and smoke coming from a two-story rowhome.
As firefighters began trying to put the fire out, one person inside managed to escape the burning house through a second-story window, according to Baltimore Fire spokesperson Kevin Cartwright.
Officials say that once crews were able to enter the home, they found another victim inside, unconscious and not responsive.
That person was removed from the home and treated by paramedics. Both victims were later taken to an area hospital for further treatment.
According to Cartwright, one of the victims died shortly after arriving at the hospital. The other was in critical condition, but later died from their injuries.
"It's going to be a tough loss for everyone in the neighborhood. They will be missed because they were very nice people," friend and neighbor Bo told us. Bo says he grew up with the couple's children.
"We were real tight, played together and everything. I could come over there and grab a bite to eat. She would feed me, and down the road, she would feed my children. We was family. She treated me nice as a kid, and also treated my children very nice."
Another friend and former co-worker of the man, Rodney Causion, stopped by the house to leave flowers and a card at the door.
"He was a good guy. A real good guy. A leader in the community. You couldn't find a better gentleman," Causion said.
The fire spread to a neighboring home, but no injuries were reported.
The victims' identities have not been officially released.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
