July 25th, 2023 by WCBC Radio

ALLEGANY COUNTY, MD (July 25, 2023) - Two people were rescued, and another sustained severe burn injuries and was taken to UPMC Western Maryland after a kitchen fire broke out in a Cumberland home Monday afternoon.

At 12:30 p.m., Cumberland Fire Department and surrounding companies responded to a house fire at 213 Arch Street after one of the victims called 911 and told them they were trapped. When they arrived, firefighters discovered heavy smoke throughout the two-story duplex. Firefighters rescued a 67 -year-old woman and an 8-year-old girl from a second-floor window. It took around 25 firefighters 15 minutes to control the fire.

Deputy State Fire Marshals assisted Cumberland Fire Marshals Office and determined a grease fire was the cause of the two-alarm blaze. A 70-year-old resident told investigators he was cooking when he noticed flames from a pot with grease inside. He attempted to remove the pot from the stove when it fell, causing severe burns to his body. The grease caught combustibles near an island in the middle of the kitchen to catch fire.

Paramedics treated the victim for second-degree burns and took him to UPMC Western Maryland. He was later transferred to UPMC Mercy Burn Center in Pittsburgh, where he is listed in stable condition.

Firefighters saved several animals, and one firefighter was transported to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

The fire caused an estimated $5,000 in damages, and investigators concluded a smoke alarm was present and activated