January 7th, 2019 by WCBC Radio

A joint investigation by the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Maryland State Police is underway after a fatal dwelling fire early yesterday morning at 2870 Old Elk Neck Road in Elkton.

     On January 6, 2019, at 5:38 a.m. two neighbors observed heavy fire engulfing the double-wide mobile home. As the neighbors approached, two occupants of the house, identified as Tammy L. Lum (age 51) and Constance M. Reynolds (age 51) stated Lum's daughter, Tera N. Lum (age 30) was still inside the home. Heavy smoke and flames prevented the parties from entering the house as they attempted to summon Lum to escape out of a rear bedroom window.  Firefighters from Singerly and surrounding fire companies arrived and after extinguishing the blaze located the victim inside. Tammy Lum was treated on scene by EMS and flown by Maryland State Police Aviation Command to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center where she was treated and later released.  The victim was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner where the cause and manner of death will be determined. 

     Deputy State Fire Marshals were on scene throughout the day conducting an origin and cause investigation, and both remain under investigation at this time. Investigators have not determined if smoke alarms were present and operating at the time of the fire.

     The one-alarm incident brought 40 firefighters to the scene and took approximately 30 minutes to bring under control. Investigators consider the home a complete loss with structure and contents estimated at $75,000.00

     A joint investigation between the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Maryland State Police, Criminal Enforcement Division is standard operating procedure whenever a fatal fire occurs.