Discarded cigarette blamed for house fire
Blaze began on rear deck
By Jay R. Thompson
Posted 2/19/09
County fire investigators deemed a Feb. 13 house fire in Perry Hall “accidental” and discarded cigarettes were the cause.
According to a Feb. 19 statement from the county fire department, “improperly discarded cigarettes” are to blame for the house fire in the 5000 block of Forge Haven Drive in Perry Hall.
“After reviewing the physical evidence and interviewing neighbors and survivors of the fire, investigators concluded that the fire began on the deck at the rear of the house. Someone had discarded a cigarette on the deck without properly extinguishing it,” the statement said.
“Nationwide, improperly discarded smoking materials are the leading cause of home fire deaths,” it said.
Three generations and six members of the Chen family escaped the fire, but 54-year-old Yan Chen, the grandfather, died the next day from smoke inhalation and burns.
Strong winds intensified the fire, which distorted and melted the vinyl siding on at least three neighboring homes.
The fire caused an estimated $450,000 in property damage.
The White Marsh and Kingsville volunteer fire companies, both of which responded to the fire, will give neighbors an “After the Fire Walk” Feb. 21 at the scene of the fire and discuss fire safety issues.
“We routinely do this after a fatal fire,” said Elise Armacost, spokeswoman for the county fire department.
The visit gives neighbors an opportunity to ask the firefighters questions and talk about their concerns, Armacost said.
According to a Feb. 19 statement from the county fire department, “improperly discarded cigarettes” are to blame for the house fire in the 5000 block of Forge Haven Drive in Perry Hall.
“After reviewing the physical evidence and interviewing neighbors and survivors of the fire, investigators concluded that the fire began on the deck at the rear of the house. Someone had discarded a cigarette on the deck without properly extinguishing it,” the statement said.
“Nationwide, improperly discarded smoking materials are the leading cause of home fire deaths,” it said.
Three generations and six members of the Chen family escaped the fire, but 54-year-old Yan Chen, the grandfather, died the next day from smoke inhalation and burns.
Strong winds intensified the fire, which distorted and melted the vinyl siding on at least three neighboring homes.
The fire caused an estimated $450,000 in property damage.
The White Marsh and Kingsville volunteer fire companies, both of which responded to the fire, will give neighbors an “After the Fire Walk” Feb. 21 at the scene of the fire and discuss fire safety issues.
“We routinely do this after a fatal fire,” said Elise Armacost, spokeswoman for the county fire department.
The visit gives neighbors an opportunity to ask the firefighters questions and talk about their concerns, Armacost said.
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