75-Year-Old Man Dies After Salisbury House Fire

Wicomico County, MD - A 75-year-old man has died following a house fire in Salisbury, Maryland on Thursday afternoon. The Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Salisbury Fire Department Fire Marshal's Office are still investigating.

At around 12:35 p.m., firefighters from the Salisbury Fire Department and nearby departments responded to the 500 block of Tangier Street for a reported house fire. When they arrived, they found fire inside a one-story, five-unit masonry row home.

Firefighters located the 75-year-old man inside the unit where the fire started and got him out of the residence. He was taken to a local hospital before being flown by the Maryland State Police Aviation Command to a Baltimore-area burn center. He later died from his injuries.

Investigators spent the afternoon working the scene. They determined the fire started in the living room of the man's residence. The cause is still under investigation, but smoking materials have not been ruled out.

Investigators confirmed smoke alarms were in the home and went off during the fire.

"Our thoughts are with the victim's family and everyone affected by this tragic fire," said Acting State Fire Marshal Jason M. Mowbray. "While investigators continue working to determine exactly what happened, this is a reminder that fire can spread in a matter of minutes. Working smoke alarms provide valuable early warning, but everyone should also have and practice a home escape plan so they know how to get out safely."

Two occupants from a home next door were also displaced by the fire. The American Red Cross is assisting them.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the official cause and manner of death.

A joint investigation between the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Salisbury Fire Department Fire Marshal's Office is standard procedure whenever a fatal fire happens within the City of Salisbury. The Salisbury Police Department also assisted with the investigation.