Fire officials say he re-entered his home to try and put out the fire.
Smithsburg, Md (KM). There’s a tragic end to a house fire in Smithsburg. Jon H. Wilson, 72, who was rescued from his home at 22028 Beaverbrook Drive, has died.
Oliver Alkire, Senior Deputy State Fire Marshal with the Office of the State Fire Marshal, says Wilson, his wife and dog were alerted to the fire in their home by a smoke alarm. They discovered the fire was in the basement.
He says all three got out, but Mr. Wilson went into the basement from the outside to try and put out the fire. “While his wife was calling 911, a neighbor subsequently arrived, learned of Mr. Wilson’s location, and actually yelled for him to actually come outside,” says Alkire. “Mr. Wilson did make an appearance at the door. He was advised to come outside. Unfortunately, he did return to the interior of the basement once again.”
An off-duty Smithsburg fire fighter came to the scene, entered the home without his turnout gear, and rescued Wilson. “He was an extremely brave volunteer for going into those conditions. Knowing what he had to encounter, he still went inside, located the victim and brought that victim to the outside to awaiting EMS personnel who were able to treat him,” says Alkire.
Mr. Wilson was medivaced to Medstar Washington Hospital Center, where he died.
Alkire says damage from the house fire is estimated at $160,000. He also says the fire originated in the basement, but the cause remains under investigation.
Maryland State Fire Marshal Brian Geraci, in a statement, says it’s never a good idea to go back into a when it’s on fire. “This tragic incident is a heartbreaking but real example of why going back inside doesn’t guarantee you and your family will make it back out alive,” he says. “Get out, stay out. Have working smoke alarms and an escape plan in place.”
By Kevin McManus