A tragic accident early Saturday morning claimed the life of a 79-year-old Dundalk man, according to Baltimore County authorities. Herminio Quinto was fatally injured while tending to a burn barrel fire in his backyard on the 1900 block of Tolson Avenue. Emerged after police and fire crews conducted a welfare check at approximately 4:43 a.m., Quinto was found to have suffered injuries from the fire that would later prove fatal, FOX Baltimore reported.
It is reported by CBS News Baltimore that Quinto was burning personal papers and cardboard, which, after being accelerated with gasoline, erupted and engulfed him. The Baltimore County Police confirmed that the fire was accidental due to the use of gasoline as an accelerant. This incident marks the fifth fire-related death in the county this year, signalling a concerning uptrend in fatal home fires.
In response to these incidents, Baltimore County officials are urging residents to exercise caution when using outdoor burning devices and to properly educate themselves on fire safety. The Baltimore County Fire Department maintains that prevention and knowledge are key to avoiding such tragedies. They offer resources for fire safety tips, home fire safety inspections, and free smoke alarms for eligible residents. Interested individuals are encouraged to visit their website or call 410-887-1822 for further information.
