MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930
MEBrady@co.pg.md.us @PGFDPIO
A Fort Washington resident
removed by firefighters from her burning home has died. At around 8:20 pm, Thursday, October 4th,
firefighters arrived at a 1-story single family home at 9000 Old Palmer Road
with smoke showing.
Firefighters located an
unconscious female just inside the front door and removed her to awaiting
medics outside. Medics assessed her
condition as having no pulse and not breathing and immediately started attempts
to save her life. Medics were able to
regain a pulse, however, the patient remained in critical condition at a nearby
hospital. Tragically, despite the very
best efforts of firefighters, medics and hospital staff the patient died on
Friday, October 5th. The victim,
also listed as the homeowner, has been identified as Eka Usoro, DOB 3/23/1953.
The fire was located and
extinguished. The cause of the fire
remains under investigation. Fire loss
is estimated at $75,000. Firefighters
initially believed the occupant was alerted by a working smoke alarm, however,
fire investigators determined there were no working smoking alarms in the
house.
Furthermore, Prince George’s
County Fire Chief Benjamin M. Barksdale expressed his concern and frustration about the use of
double cylinder deadbolts that require a key to unlock from both sides of the
door. The victim from Old Palmer Road
was found by the front door with a key to the deadbolt in her hands. “No one should ever have to use a key to get
out of their house,” said Barksdale.
“This is the third fire this year resulting in 4 deaths of home
occupants where these double cylinder deadbolts were present and possibly
hampered their egress.” In
all 3 incidents (highlighted in red on list below) the victims were found
either at or near the front or rear doors with double cylinder deadbolts. The Crelin Place and Old Palmer Road
incidents; the victims had keys to the deadbolt lock in their hands.
The Old Palmer Road incident is the 11th
residential fire fatality this year with an accidental or undetermined cause.:
#1 - February 11 – 6000 block of North Hilmar
Circle in District Heights.
No working smoke alarms in home.
Deceased: 84 years-of-age.
#2 and #3 - March 8 – 500 block of Round Tree Drive in Fort Washington.
No working smoke alarms in home.
Deceased: 75 and 80 years-of-age.
#4 - March 11 – 4200 block of Monroe Street in
Colmar Manor.
No working smoke alarms in house.
Deceased: 70 years-of-age.
#5 and #6 - March 22 – 3400 block of Eastern Avenue
in Mount Rainier.
1 working smoke alarm in basement.
Fire and occupants on upper floors.
Deceased: 83 and 87 years-of-age.
#7 - April 10 – 4600 Brookfield Drive in
Suitland.
Working smoke alarm was present.
Deceased: 50 year-of-age.
#8 - May 12 – 10400 block of Howard Court in
Beltsville.
No working smoke alarms in house.
Deceased: 35 years-of-age.
#9 - May 24 – La Quinta Hotel – Hampton Park Blvd in Capital
Heights
Hotel Room with alarm/sprinkler Deceased
36 year-old-male
#10 - September 8 – 4307 Crelin Place in Lanham
No working smoke alarm Deceased female
#11 – October 4 – 9000 Old Palmer
Road in Fort Washington
No working smoke alarms in house.
Deceased 65-year-old female.
The Prince George’s County
Fire/EMS Department does not support the use of double cylinder deadbolts and
strongly recommend that residents replace the deadbolts with ones that can be
operated without a key.
We also remind all
homeowners, citizens, residents and businesses, by law, you are required to
install 10-year smoke alarms. A 10-year
smoke alarm is required on every levels of your home, primarily just outside of
sleeping areas. All of your alarms should be tested at least once-a-month. We recommend using the Safety 1st Day of Every Month to perform this task.
The Fire/EMS Department
strongly recommends installing 10-year smoke alarms in every bedroom and to
sleep with your bedroom door closed. An escape plan to exit your home should be planned and practiced. Your plan should include 2 ways out of every room in your house.
Of our 11 fire related fatalities
this year 7 of the 11 had no working smoke alarms. 2 fatalities of the 11 had 1 working smoke alarm
located in the basement which had no early warning of the fire located on upper
floors which is where the deceased were located.
Prince Georges County law
also requires the installation of carbon monoxide (CO) detectors on every level
of your home if you have a gas service for appliances, a fireplace and/or an
attached garage.
Prince George’s County
homeowners that need a 10-year smoke alarm and can not afford to purchase one
themselves can call 311 and ask about our smoke alarm program. A firefighter will come to your house and
install a 10-year smoke alarm for you at no charge.
An updated Maryland smoke alarm law
went into effect on October 1, 2018 requiring that all commercial
establishments selling smoke alarms only offer the 10-year model. The goal is to eliminate all 9-volt battery
smoke alarms for sale and use in the home.
A non-working smoke alarm was found inside the home on Old Palmer Road
with a dead battery.
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