PARSONSBURG, MD – Two people were found dead early Sunday after a fast-moving house fire tore through a home on Old Ocean City Road, authorities said. An off-duty firefighter who tried to save one of the victims was injured in the attempt and later airlifted to a Baltimore hospital.
Fire crews from Parsonsburg Volunteer Fire Company and surrounding departments were dispatched to the 32900 block of Old Ocean City Road around 2:40 a.m. for reports of a structure fire. When firefighters arrived, the home was already engulfed in flames.
During the initial response, an off-duty Ocean City Fire Department firefighter—who also serves with the Parsonsburg company—kicked in a back door in an effort to reach trapped occupants but was forced out by intense smoke. He was later flown to a Baltimore-area hospital by Maryland State Police Aviation Command.
Once the blaze was brought under control, firefighters discovered the remains of two individuals inside the residence. Their identities have not yet been released pending confirmation by the Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Deputy State Fire Marshals and K9 Deacon are investigating the cause and origin of the fire with assistance from Maryland State Police. Excavation crews were brought in to help investigators safely access portions of the destroyed home.
• Two people found dead after early morning Parsonsburg house fire
• Off-duty firefighter injured while attempting rescue, flown to Baltimore hospital
• Investigators working to determine cause and origin of the fatal blaze