Southern Maryland News Net
UPDATE – Official Press release from the State Fire Marshal 4/16/14 @ 6:30p.m.
The Office of the State Fire Marshal and the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office are conducting an investigation into a fatal fire that claimed the life of, Marion W. Gatton (81) and injured two adults during a fire at 19555 Three Notch Road in Lexington Park.
The 1:16 p.m. one alarm blaze was brought under control within 30 minutes by nearly 55 firefighters from Bay District, Ridge, Hollywood, 2nd District, St. Leonard, 7th District and Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Departments.
First responders located the unconscious victim inside her bedroom and were not able to revive her after valiant efforts. The victims’ caretaker, Delores Pennington (47) located a fire in the kitchen and was not able to control the flames. She received burn injuries to her hands before escaping the heavy smoke. An active duty U.S. Marine, Jon Spindler was in the area and tried to make entry to assist the victim inside the bedroom and received moderate smoke inhalation injuries before escaping the blaze. Both Pennington and Spindler were transported to the Medstar St. Mary’s Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
The body of the victim was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for determination of cause of death.
The cause for the fire remains under investigation at this time.
4/16/14
On Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at 1:20p.m., firefighters from throughout Southern Maryland were alerted to report of a house fire with people trapped in the 1900 block of Three Notch Road in St. James.
Crews arrived on scene to discover a single story single family home with heavy smoke and fire showing.
Multiple injuries were reported.
A fire fighter from Bay District located a female in the living room and was able to carry her outside. Once outside, the female victim was treated by EMS personal and CPR was initiated. The female was transported to Medstar St. Mary’s Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Maryland State Fire Marshall’s were on the scene and continue to investigate.