TANEYTOWN, MD – A joint investigation is underway after an 84-year-old woman was found dead following a house fire Friday evening in Carroll County.
The Taneytown Volunteer Fire Company was dispatched around 4:15 p.m. to 3404 Francis Scott Key Highway for a report of possible carbon monoxide exposure.
When firefighters arrived, they discovered a fire inside the home that had already self-extinguished.
Investigators from the Office of the State Fire Marshal later found the homeowner deceased in a first-floor bedroom along with multiple family pets that also perished.
Victim believed to be longtime resident
Authorities believe the victim is homeowner Jeanie Shifflett, 84, though positive identification will be made by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner following an autopsy.
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A dog was found dead in the same room, a cat was discovered in the dining room, and several pet birds were located in the basement.
Preliminary findings indicate smoke inhalation may have been a contributing factor in the woman’s death.
Investigators focus on accidental causes
Deputy State Fire Marshals determined the fire began in the home’s unfinished basement, but the cause remains under investigation.
Officials said evidence points toward an accidental origin, noting that the blaze may have occurred overnight based on soot damage and basement conditions.
The residence was equipped with smoke alarms, though it is not yet clear whether they activated during the incident.
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Extensive damage reported
Fire and smoke caused an estimated $150,000 in damage to the home and its contents, officials said.
The investigation is being conducted jointly by the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office.
An 84-year-old woman was found dead after a basement fire believed to be accidental at her Taneytown home.
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