March 13th, 2015 by WCBC Radio

 A team of investigators with the Office of the State Fire Marshall, Allegany County C3I and the Maryland State Police are investigating the death of an elderly male victim during a trash fire that became a field fire at 11600 Murleys Branch Road in Flintstone. The incident occurred at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2015. Investigators determined the victim, believed to be the property owner, was burning trash when it started to get out of control. The victim then retrieved a portable fire extinguisher and while attempting to fight the fire before he became overwhelmed and collapsed among the burning vegetation. Nearly 30 firefighters from Flintstone, Baltimore Pike, Orleans, District 16, and Oldtown Volunteer Fire Departments responded to the incident which claimed approximately 25 acres and 30 large round hay bales. Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control within 20 minutes and continued extinguishment operations among the 30 hay bales for two additional hours. During the extinguishment of the fire, the body of the victim was discovered badly burned near the remains of a trash pile.  The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is working to confirm the identity and cause of death of the victim.