Clinton Fire Fatality Update from December 5 - Tippett Road

MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930

mebrady@co.pg.md.us     @PGFDPIO

Fire Investigators from the Prince George’s County Office of the Fire Marshal have been investigating a fire and death that occurred at 11317 Tippett Road Clinton, MD since Saturday, December 5, 2015 at 5:05:00 AM.

Public Safety Communications received a 911 call from a resident at 11317 Tippett Road Clinton, Maryland. The resident reported that a trailer was on fire in her yard and someone was possibly trapped inside.

Firefighters and paramedics responded and arrived to report a fire fully involving a camping trailer fire. Fire suppression units extinguished the trailer fire and located a deceased person inside.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner – State of Maryland, concluded the cause of death was from the fire and smoke.

The deceased has been identified as Joel David Polhemus, DOB 6/8/1971, of Clinton.

The fire loss is estimated at $30,000. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation however accidental causes are being considered. 

This is the third residential fire fatality occurring in Prince George’s County this calendar year.  The other two incidents are:

1.    Laurel female succumbed on 1-2-15 from burn injuries sustained on 1-1-2015. (smoking materials) 

2.    April 5, 2015, 3400 block of Edwards Street, Springdale.  Adult Male. (smoking materials)