COLUMBIA, MD – Police have named 15-year-old Katie Chase as the victim of a fatal fire that occurred last night in Columbia. The Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services (HCDFRS) and investigators have concluded that the fire, which claimed Chase’s life, was accidental.
The tragic incident unfolded at approximately 7:30 pm on March 20, when firefighters were dispatched to a townhouse fire in the 11500 block of Shell Flower Lane. On arrival, fire was visible from the second story of the home. Firefighting crews conducted a rapid search of the residence, during which they discovered Chase.
The fire was brought under control within 20 minutes of the firefighters’ arrival. Two other individuals were transported to a local hospital for further medical evaluation. In response to the incident, the Red Cross is providing assistance to the displaced residents of the home.
The investigation into the fire’s cause was a collaborative effort between the Office of the Fire Marshal and Howard County Police Department, a standard procedure for incidents involving fatalities.