Fire in Howard County leaves 40 residents homeless, two pets die

BALTIMORE — A fire early Saturday morning left 40 residents homeless and killed two pets, according to the Howard County Fire and Rescue Department.

Shortly after 5:00 a.m., firefighters responded to a 911 call for a fire at an apartment building in the 6300 block of Orchard Club Drive in Elkridge.

When they arrived, they found that there was a fire on the second, third and fourth floors of the building.

The incident commander requested additional firefighters and equipment.

According to the department, it took about an hour to extinguish the fire.

The fire left 14 homes severely damaged and deemed uninhabitable. The American Red Cross is assisting residents with temporary housing and other urgent needs.

A firefighter and a resident were transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries, and a resident who was treated at the scene declined hospital transport.

Two dogs and a cat died in the fire.

The origin and cause of the fire are still being investigated.