Fatal Fire in Cecil County
CECIL COUNTY, MD – Deputy State Fire Marshals are investigating the origin and cause of a fire that claimed the life of Anita June Rowland, age 71, and her dog yesterday afternoon.
On Saturday, October 17, 2020 at approximately 2:00 p.m. North East Fire Company and surrounding departments were alerted for a dwelling fire with reported entrapment in the 800 block of Old East Philadelphia Road. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered the front of the one-story, single-family dwelling engulfed in flames and extending into the home. During extinguishment, firefighters located the body of the victim in the living room. The victim was later pronounced deceased by the Cecil County Department of Emergency Services paramedics.
Nearly 35 firefighters responded to the one-alarm fire, which took approximately 20 minutes to control. Deputy State Fire Marshals estimated the home and its contents are a total loss with an estimated value of $100,000.00. No evidence of working smoke alarms was located during the on-scene investigation.
The victim was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, where the exact cause of death will be determined.
The Office of the State Fire Marshal is being assisted by the Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division, which is standard operating procedure whenever a fatal fire occurs.
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MD Fire Marshal
