WALDORF, Maryland – The Office of the State Fire has determined the
origin and cause of a double fatal fire that claimed the life of two Waldorf family members.
Investigators determined the fire originated within a hallway which separated the victims’ bedrooms and concluded the cause was an electrical failure due to an overloaded extension cord.
The investigation revealed Zavion Atkins (6) and his great-grandmother Bernice Washington (68) were asleep in separate bedrooms when the fire occurred. Four other family members were able to escape after being alerted to the sound of a smoke alarm. The 12:34 AM fire at 15101 Poplar Hill Road was brought under control by numerous Charles County and Prince Georges County fire departments. The single-story modular home was heavily damaged during the blaze.
Charles County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the initial investigation, which is standard operating procedure in fatal related fires. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner revealed the victims succumbed to smoke inhalation and thermal burn injuries.
:Update:–On October 14 at 12:34 a.m., officers with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office and Charles County Fire/EMS responded to 15101 Poplar Hill Road in Waldorf for the report of a house fire. Emergency personnel arrived on the scene and found the residence fully engulfed in flames. Four occupants escaped; two people could not. The fire was extinguished and responders located two people inside: Bernice Delores Washington, 68, and Zavion Atkins, 6, both who lived at that residence. Detectives with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division and the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal responded and will conduct a joint investigation. The cause of the fire has not been determined; however, it does not appear foul play was involved. Anyone with information is asked to call Det. J. Elliott at (301) 609-6515.
WALDORF, Maryland. October 14, 2015 – A team of investigators from the Office of the State Fire Marshal, Charles County Sheriff’s Office and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner are conducting an investigation involving the early morning double fatal dwelling fire at 15101 Poplar Hill Road in Waldorf. The first 911 call was received from someone inside the home at 12:34 AM. Firefighters arrived at 12:47 AM and upon searching the home, a 68 year-old female was immediately located on the first floor and a continuing search of the single story, modular home revealed a 6 year-old male was located in a rear room. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine identity and cause of death for both victims.
Numerous firefighters from Waldorf, Hughesville, Baden, Benedict, Brandywine and LaPlata controlled the blaze which consumed nearly half the home. A firefighter sustained a non-life threatening back injury and was transported to a local hospital. The Red Cross is on scene assisting the family as well as other family and church members.
It has been confirmed four additional family members were able to escape the home after being alerted to the sound of a smoke alarm. The origin and cause remain under investigation at this time and updates will be released as additional information is developed.
Cover photo courtesy of Fox5DC