Hampden Fire Damages Three Rowhomes, Residents Raise Safety Concerns

BALTIMORE — A significant fire broke out on West 37th Street in Hampden, damaging three rowhomes and prompting swift action from neighbors and firefighters.

Witnesses described a dramatic scene as flames erupted from the second story of a rowhome and quickly spread to adjacent structures. Henry Johnson, a resident of the affected area, recounted the moment he was alerted to the blaze by his roommate. “I came down and got outside,” he said, expressing concern for the safety of his home as flames engulfed the back of the building.

Fortunately, all residents and their pets were able to evacuate safely. However, two firefighters sustained minor injuries while battling the flames. As the fire department responded, questions arose regarding the status of a nearby fire hydrant, which had been tagged as out of service. Fire officials assured that the situation did not impede their firefighting efforts, as they utilized two functional hydrants.

Local resident Bob Atkinson praised the firefighters for their quick response, stating, “They contained the fire within the first 20 minutes. It was really good.”

In light of recent fire incidents in the area, residents expressed heightened concern about safety measures. Jim Freaney, another neighbor, emphasized the need for improvements, referencing a series of fires that have occurred in the vicinity over the past year.

While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, Johnson indicated that a lightweight extension cord used for an air conditioning unit may have been responsible for the ignition. “It overheated, melted, and started the fire,” he explained.

Reported by HarborBeat based on WMAR-2 News (source).