STATEMENT FROM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL
STRUCTURE FIRE CLAIMS THE LIVES OF THREE CAMBRIDGE RESIDENTS AND INJURES TWO OTHERS

DORCHESTER COUNTY, April 1, 2021, Deputy State Fire Marshals from the Lower Eastern Region along with the Cambridge Police Department are continuing their investigation into an early morning structure fire that claimed the lives of three Cambridge residents and injured two others.

On April 1, 2021 at 12:22 A.M. the Rescue Fire Company responded to the 400 block of High Street in Cambridge for a structure fire after a neighbor called 911 reporting the blaze. Upon the fire department's arrival they observed severe fire conditions coming from the interior of the three story brick structure that contained two apartments. The fire eventually reached 3 alarms bringing in several surrounding fire departments to assist with suppression activities. It took approximately 75 firefighters 90 minutes to bring the blaze under control.

As a result of the fire, a 31-year-old female was transported by ambulance to Tidal Health in Salisbury with serious injuries. She will be flown to Baltimore for more advanced medical treatment. In addition; an 11-year-old female was transported by ambulance to Tidal Health in Salisbury for minor injuries, after a Maryland State Trooper and city of Cambridge Police Officer assisted her off of a landing she escaped to via a window on the second floor of the structure. She was treated and later released.

The blaze did claim the lives of three other occupants of the building. An 8-year-old female, 18-year-old female and a 41-year-old male perished as a result of the fire. They will be transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore to determine the exact cause of death.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

12:26AM BOX ALARM 1-2 APARTMENT FIRE 404 HIGH ST CAMBRIDGE DUE: Chief 1 (Command), Engine 1-3 (4 w/ Captain 1-1), Engine 1-2 (3 w/ Lieutenant 1-2), Rescue Engine 1-1 (3 w/ Lieutenant 1-3), Engine 1-4 (3 w/ Lieutenant 1-1), Rescue 1-1 (4 w/ Captain 1-2), Brush 1-1 (1), Utility 1-1 (1), TW6-1, TE38, DCEMS PM100 & 101 (Cambridge), CPD, MSP, DES 1, COMM 1, Maryland State Fire Marshal :DC:DOR911 (20 Volunteers from Rescue Fire Company Inc. responded to this fire)

Chief 1 (Command)
Engine 1-3 Fire Attack (400’ of 1.75” attack hose, 300’ of 5” Supply, 200’ of 2” attack hose, 14 & 24' Ladders)
Engine 1-2 (E 1-3’s Hydrant corner of Locust St/High St and assist with fire attack 14 & 24' Ladders)
Engine 1-4 (Secondary Hydrant at Gay St/Poplar St 500’ of 5” supply hose supporting Easton Tower 61)
Rescue Engine 1-1 (3rd hydrant at Gay St/High St 14 & 24' Ladders)
Rescue 1-1 (lights, SCBA fill station, tools, personnel)
Brush 1-1 (additional personal)
Utility 1-1 (scene support)

2nd Alarm: Station 1, Station 6 (Hurlock), Talbot Station 30 (Trappe) EN38, Station 46 (Church Creek) Rescue Engine 46-1, Station 61 (Linkwood-Salem) Rescue Engine 61-1, Station 21 (East New Market) Engine 21-1, Talbot Station 60 (Easton) Tower 61, Station 31 (Neck District) Ambulance 31, Talbot Co PM93 (Trappe)

3rd Alarm Assignment: Station 16 (Secretary) RE16-1, Station 11 (Vienna) RE11-1, Station 26 (Eldorado-Brookview) RE26-1, Talbot Station 40 (St Michaels) Truck 40, Talbot Station 50 (Cordova) Engine 54, Caroline Station 200 (Preston) Engine 204, Wicomico Station 14 (Sharptown) Truck 14

Transfer Crews: Wicomico Station 5 (Hebron) Ladder 5, Station 66 (Taylor’s Island) Engine 66 & Station 31 (Neck District) Ambulance 31

12:28AM 2nd Alarm requested per Captain 1-1
12:32AM Chief 1 on location w/ Command
12:34AM 3rd Alarm Requested
7:08AM All Station 1 Units cleared the scene