Lusby, MD — Deputy State Fire Marshals were called to 10963 Poplar Drive in Lusby on Sunday, May 1, 2016 to investigate the origin and cause of a fire causing the adult female homeowner to receive thermal burns and smoke inhalation injuries.
Nearly 50 firefighters and EMS personnel responded from St. Leonard, Solomon’s Island, Prince Frederick, Huntingtown, Bay District, Grasonville and Hollywood Volunteer Fire Departments.to the 9:50 a.m. two alarm blaze and quickly located Mrs. Bessie Harness unconscious on the floor and transported her to Calvert Memorial Hospital for stabilization prior to transport to the Washington Hospital Center Burn Unit where she remains in critical but stable condition. The fire was brought under control within 90 minutes after arrival on the scene.
Investigators learned the homeowner experienced a power outage and attempted to reset switches at the breaker panel causing sparks to shower onto clothing items located on the floor. The victim became disoriented while searching for her phone to call 911. The damage to the structure and contents is estimated at $250,000.
