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A fatal house fire in Faulkner, Maryland claimed the lives of two people early Thursday morning, prompting an ongoing investigation by Deputy State Fire Marshals. The blaze destroyed a two-story residence on Brunswick Road, with emergency crews encountering hazardous conditions that complicated firefighting efforts.
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At approximately 6:15 a.m. on April 17, fire crews from Bel Alton Volunteer Fire Department and nearby stations responded to the reported structure fire. On arrival, the home was fully engulfed in flames. Neighbors informed responders that the homeowners were unaccounted for, leading firefighters to conduct a search amid the flames. Inside the residence, firefighters faced severe hoarding conditions, which significantly hindered their ability to navigate and suppress the fire.
Roughly 50 firefighters battled the blaze for two hours before bringing it under control. After the flames were extinguished, the bodies of 62-year-old Robert Bowling and 70-year-old Kim Dickens were found on the second floor. Both were identified as the owners and occupants of the home.
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A tenant residing on the first floor managed to escape the fire without injury. Investigators estimate the fire caused $175,000 in structural damage and an additional $75,000 in damage to the home’s contents. Smoke alarms were present in the home, but it is unclear whether they were functioning at the time of the fire.
The deceased have been transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for autopsies to determine the cause of death. The origin and cause of the fire remain under investigation.
Article by multiple RFHC contributors, based upon information from the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office
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