Baltimore (WJZ) — According to officials, a fire on Wednesday morning in Baltimore sent three people to the hospital, after which two victims were released.
The Baltimore police spokesperson was initially E. Investigators said investigators believed that the fire that damaged four homes in 300 blocks on 31st Street began when at least one pride flag was fired, but authorities now say 2 on the same street. Say there were two separate incidents. Bell.
According to police, the first house was a house with a flag of pride. They said a house across the street decorated with pride was set on fire, injuring three people.
At a press conference, police secretary Michael Harrison only said that the cause of the fire was still under investigation after police were first reported to be investigating the case as a possible hate crime. The motive remains unknown.
“This is an ongoing investigation to identify the facts and the cause, and we are not currently ready or ready to identify the facts of the cause or how it started,” he said. rice field.
In an afternoon news release, Mayor Brandon Scott said it was too early to determine if the incident was a hate crime.
“”[M]The agency will bring all the proper resources needed to reach the root of this tragic event, “he said. “Anyway, I will continue to be in solidarity with the LGBTQ + community.”
The fire was reported around 4:30 am on 300 blocks on East 31 Street, and the first unit arrived within 7 minutes, said Fire Chief Nilesford.He said the fire had been contained by just before 5 am
Three victims were taken to shock trauma for treatment. According to Ford, a 30-year-old woman and a 57-year-old man were hospitalized in a serious condition, and a 74-year-old man was in a serious condition.
A woman and a man were discharged on Wednesday afternoon, but one man was hospitalized in a stable condition.
Update: Two victims have been released from the hospital. The third victim upgraded to a stable.
No official conclusion yet This was motivated by hatred
Ramos, a member of the council, states that four fires were deliberately set up. Town homes, pride flags, cars and trash bins throughout the green mount. @wjz pic.twitter.com/6330iAkupO— Mike Helgren (@HellgrenWJZ) June 15, 2022
“We wish the health of the three individuals who were injured and seriously injured at this event,” said Ford. “Every time we start a fire, it’s terrible. I’m very grateful for the work of the members.”
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A police spokesperson said the fire was treated as a case of malicious burns. Investigators from both police and fire departments are backed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, officials said.
“We really do here so that they give them time to do their job as usual and allow us to move in the best possible way and do accountable fashion. Make sure you understand what happened, “said Scott.
Two of the houses were severely damaged by the fire, and one of them was almost completely burnt. Ford said four homes on the block were damaged.
Odette Ramos lives in the same block as the fire and represents the area of the city council.
She told WJZ that there were two other fires near Wednesday morning — opposite Green Mount Avenue in Better Waverly. Includes trash fire and car fire. Ramos said it was unclear if any of the fires were involved, but they were all “intentionally set.”
“We know that similar events are happening all over the country, so I think that amplifies our concerns,” she said. “We will see until we get” certainly “. I know all the resources the city and the federal government have brought. Find out what happened and make sure it never happens again. “
This morning, a chalk rainbow heart was painted on the sidewalk near the house with the flag of pride in North Baltimore. Investigations into the motives of the fire here and across the street were underway, damaging four homes and injuring three. @wjz pic.twitter.com/p766ryNhwo
— Mike Helgren (@HellgrenWJZ) June 15, 2022
Many neighbors are rattling.
“I think hatred has been unleashed in this country and people are bold to act on their hatred,” said long-time resident Ralph Moore. “We are in a very sad and serious time in this country. We must all watch carefully and resist this ugliness and hatred as much as possible.”
Another neighbor, Bonnie, asked WJZ investigator Mike Helgren not to use her name because of safety concerns. She said she knew two of her injured victims.
“Leave people alone for God. Just leave people alone. I don’t know how many people were affected by this … this is a close community and we do this. We will overcome and help each other, “Bonnie said. “People are just trying to live their lives, this is a comfortable place for people. It’s part of a very shocking thing,” What! “That is, people have flags of all kinds. It is listed. We are all just trying to help. “
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The mayor called on residents to share information such as doorbell camera footage with the authorities.
Source: baltimore.cbslocal.com
