Firefighter Falls Through Second Floor Of A Building In Aberdeen

HARFORD COUNTY - Approximately 55 firefighters yesterday responded to a fire at a two-story, multi-use building at 20 West Bel Air Avenue. The fire broke out early Wednesday morning in a building housing a hair-braiding business, a church, a vacant storefront, and an apartment.

The Maryland State Fire Marshall said It took firefighters only 30 minutes to contain the two-alarm blaze. Most of the fire was contained to the floor and ceiling of the upstairs apartment. The rest of the building sustained extensive smoke, soot, and water damage.

According to officials, one of the firefighters on scene fell through the second floor of the building but was unharmed. Emergency medical technicians evaluated the firefighter, and he returned to duty shortly after.

The State Fire Marshall's office suspects the fire was started by an electrical failure inside one of the apartment's walls. The fire displaced, Four residents living in the apartment, and the Fire Marshall's Office estimates that the blaze ultimately caused $150,000 in damages.