Woman Dies from Injuries Sustained in Hagerstown House Fire; Teenager Remains in Critical Condition

An unspecified electrical failure has been identified as the cause of a significant house fire in Hagerstown that resulted in the death of one resident and left another critically injured. Officials from Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center confirmed that Monae Williams-Lee, 50, succumbed to injuries she sustained during the blaze that occurred last Friday. The fire also critically injured a 17-year-old, who was rescued from the burning structure and remains hospitalized.

The incident began on Friday, March 13, 2026, at approximately 12:50 a.m. The Hagerstown Fire Department, with assistance from neighboring fire departments, responded to a call reporting a dwelling fire at 145 S. Prospect Street. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy fire conditions throughout the first-floor apartment of the building. During the fire suppression efforts, firefighters rescued Williams-Lee and the 17-year-old from the home. Both were initially transported to Meritus Medical Center for treatment before being airlifted to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center for further medical care.

A 15-year-old individual present in the structure managed to escape unharmed after a smoke alarm activated. The prompt activation of the smoke alarm is credited with providing crucial warning that allowed for this individual’s safe egress. This incident marks the first fire fatality recorded in Washington County in 2026. In the preceding year, 2025, Washington County experienced one fatal fire, which occurred in November and claimed the life of a Hagerstown man after a house fire on Chimney Stone Court.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal, an agency within the Department of State Police, is dedicated to public safety through education, inspection, investigation, and fire protection engineering. Residents seeking more information on fire safety can contact 1-800-525-3124 or visit the Maryland State Fire Marshal website or their Facebook page.

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

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