UPDATE (July 30, 3:30 p.m.): Due to the extent of damage sustained in the fire on July 27 on Orchard Club Drive in Elkridge, the cause of the fire has been ruled by the department’s Office of the Fire Marshal as undetermined. Investigators believe that the fire originated on a balcony around 5 am, spreading to multiple units within the building. The cause is considered by investigators as unsuspicious in nature.
ORIGINAL RELEASE (July 27): Shortly after 5:00 AM this morning, firefighters from the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services (HCDFRS) responded to the 6300 block of Orchard Club Drive in Elkridge for an apartment building fire. Crews arrived within six minutes of the first 911 call and encountered fire conditions on the second, third, and fourth floors of the structure. The incident commander quickly requested a second alarm, summoning additional firefighters and equipment to bolster the firefighting effort. The fire was placed under control in about an hour.
A total of 14 apartments sustained heavy damage and were deemed uninhabitable, displacing approximately 40 residents. The American Red Cross is assisting these residents with temporary housing and other immediate needs.
One firefighter and one resident were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, while another resident was treated at the scene and declined hospital transport. Three pets, two dogs and a cat, perished in the fire.
The HCDFRS Office of the Fire Marshal is investigating the origin and cause of the fire.
For more information, please contact the HCDFRS Office of Community Outreach and Media Affairs at 410-313-6039.
###