Two Fatalities in Early Morning Havre de Grace House Fire Under Investigation

Investigators from the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Havre de Grace Police Department are actively investigating a devastating early morning house fire that resulted in the loss of two lives in Havre de Grace, Maryland. The blaze, reported around 1:15 a.m. on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, drew a swift response from the Susquehanna Hose Company and neighboring fire departments. Upon arrival at the residence located at 860 Erie Street, firefighters encountered significant fire engulfing the two-story, single-family home.

During their efforts to combat the flames, firefighters located two adult victims on the second floor of the home. While their identities are pending official confirmation by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, preliminary investigations suggest the deceased are the 73-year-old husband and his 85-year-old wife, who were the owners of the property. The home’s adult son, who was also present, managed to escape the fire. He reportedly awoke to the sound of a smoke alarm and, upon encountering heavy smoke and flames on the first floor, retreated to his second-floor bedroom. He was able to exit the residence by breaking a window and jumping to safety without sustaining any injuries.

A thorough examination by Deputy State Fire Marshals and Havre de Grace Police Department detectives determined that the fire originated in the first-floor living room. The precise cause of the blaze remains under active investigation, with authorities examining all potential accidental causes and finding no immediate evidence of criminal activity. This incident marks the first fire-related fatalities in Harford County in 2026. Last year, the county experienced two separate double-fatality fires in February and another fatal fire in May. The collaboration between the Office of the State Fire Marshal and local law enforcement is a standard procedure for all fatal fire investigations.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal is emphasizing the critical role of working smoke alarms in preventing fire tragedies. Officials are urging all Maryland residents to ensure their homes are equipped with working smoke alarms on every level and within sleeping areas. Practicing a home escape plan is also strongly recommended. For those seeking information on smoke alarm safety or assistance with obtaining smoke alarms, resources are available through the “Get Alarmed Maryland” initiative.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

---