December 24th, 2023 by WCBC Radio

A team of investigators from the Office of the State Fire Marshal, and Allegany Combined County Criminal (C3I), is conducting an investigation involving a fatal dwelling fire at 16 Lee Street in Frostburg  that claimed of one person. The first 911 call was received just before 7:00 a.m. when the victim reported a fire in the front area of the home. Frostburg Fire Department and nearby fire companies responded to the two-alarm fire. It took seventy-five firefighters approximately one hour to control the fire. Once the fire was extinguished, firefighters located a deceased occupant within the single-family dwelling.

The victim has preliminarily been identified to be the 58-year-old female occupant. The victim will be transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore to determine the exact cause of death and will be positively identified. Deputy State Fire Marshals have preliminarily concluded the fire originated in a first-floor bedroom, and the cause remains under investigation. Investigators have not determined if smoke alarms were present. “Our hearts are with the Frostburg community after a tough morning. Please keep them in your thoughts, especially at this time of year,” stated Acting State Fire Marshal Jason M. Mowbray A joint investigation between the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the local jurisdiction is a standard operating procedure when a fatal fire occurs.