Owings Mills Fire Damage Exceeds $1 Million

Unattended cooking caused a three-alarm fire Tuesday afternoon in Owings Mills that displaced dozens of residents and left behind more than $1 million in damage, fire investigators said.

Baltimore County firefighters were called shortly after 2 p.m. Tuesday to the Morningside Apartments and Town Home Complex at 15 Old Coach Lane. The complex is located between Reisterstown Road and Owings Mills Boulevard near Pleasant Ridge Drive.

Investigators said the fire spread quickly to as many as 13 units partly because of the shared roof construction of the building. The fire displaced 13 adults and 12 children, whom the Red Cross is helping with immediate personal needs. The apartment complex is working with the displaced families to find vacant apartments.

"It was like it got really smoky. Then, the next-door neighbor started knocking on the door, (saying) we have to get out. The next thing I know, my whole house started burning down," said Montarius Sturdivant, a resident. "All I know right now is my house is gone."

A volunteer firefighter from the Owings Mills Volunteer Fire Company was taken to Sinai Hospital for heat exhaustion. No other injuries were reported.

Officials plan to meet with the community Friday, July 22 at 7 p.m. to answer questions.

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