Fire deaths across Maryland decreased by 13.1% in 2024, with the total number of fatalities falling from 84 in 2023 to 73, according to the 2024 Annual Maryland Fire Fatality Report, released just days ago. Despite the overall improvement, Baltimore City once again reported the highest number of fire deaths in the state, accounting for 19 fatalities from 15 separate firesโthe same number as the previous year.
Baltimore County followed with 13 deaths, while Prince Georgeโs County and Montgomery County recorded 9 and 6 deaths respectively. Notably, seven counties including Calvert, Dorchester, Garrett, Kent, Queen Anneโs, Somerset and Talbot reported zero fire deaths in 2024, up from six counties with no fatalities in 2023.
In 2024, residential structures accounted for 79% of all fire fatalities in Maryland, with many incidents concentrated in bedrooms and living spaces. In Baltimore City, the situation was no different, with many of the fatal fires happening in multi-story homes, apartments and rowhomes.
One of the most tragic incidents was a triple fatality involving a 73-year-old male, a 12-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy. The cause was an electrical malfunction, and all three victims were found in a second-floor bedroom. The presence of working smoke alarms could not be confirmed in that case.
Five victims in the city were identified as having physical limitations that may have impaired their ability to escape. In addition, hoarding conditions were reported in five separate fatal fires in the city. The most probable causes of fatal fire incidents across Maryland in 2024 were smoking materials, which accounted for 10 of the 73 deaths.
