Boy, 5, dies in Edgewood townhouse fire Friday

 

Dozens of firefighters from fire companies in Harford and Baltmore counties battled a townhouse fire in Edgewood Friday evening that killed a 5-year-old boy. (Photo courtesy of Joppa-Magnolia, Homestead Publishing / October 30, 2012)

 

A 5-year-old boy died in a fire that started in the basement of an Edgewood home Friday evening, state police said.

A joint investigation by the Office of the State Fire Marshal and Maryland State Police got under way immediately at the scene of the one-alarm fatal fire at 1417 Charlestown Drive in Edgewood, the fire marshal's office said late Friday night.

 

The 6:25 p.m. fire was contained to the basement of the two-story wood frame, center unit townhouse by the first arriving firefighters, investigators said.

Approximately 45 firefighters from fire companies in Harford and Baltimore counties controlled the blaze within 25 minutes, the fire marshal's office said in a news release.

The home was occupied at the time by the boy, Cameron Wharton, his father and 2 year-old sister. The father, Harry, escaped with the daughter, Khamyah, but was not able to save his 5-year-old son, the fire marshal's release said.

Investigators have determined the fire originated in the basement of the home. The cause remained under investigation Tuesday.

The children's mother, Latoya Wharton, had left to go to the store with her 15-year-old son. A neighbor reported the fire then called the mother to notify her.

The fire marshal's office said working smoke alarms were operating at the time of the fire.


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