A family in Bel Air is facing the grim aftermath of a Christmas Eve tragedy that turned their yuletide into ashes as an electrical failure at the base of a Christmas tree ignited a house fire, which left six people without a home. The Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal reported the blaze that began just after 6:30 p.m. on the 500 block of Flintrock Drive, engulfing the residence in flames, according to WBAL.
The fire was seen by witnesses who, upon realizing the gravity of the situation, acted in an attempt to save the family's dogs. One neighbor kicked in the front door in a desperate rescue effort, and another shattered a back door window to help, but their efforts met mixed results, as reported by investigators. One dog was saved from the ferocious flames, another was found deceased, and two remain unaccounted for, says officials, with these details being corroborated by Fox Baltimore. No human injuries were reported, as the family was not home during the incident.
As the investigation continued, the Fire Marshal's office confirmed that the destructive fire was accidental, stemming from an electrical issue at the base of a Christmas tree. The aftermath of the fire saw the home and all contents within labeled as a complete loss, painting a bleak picture for the family's future at the location. Assistance is being provided to the impacted family by the American Red Cross and Harford County Disaster Assistance, as they start their recovery from the devastating loss, with the added support of a GoFundMe campaign set up in their name.
