DUNDALK, MD—An 82-year-old man who was trapped inside a burning Dundalk rowhome on Wednesday has died.

Police have identified the victim as Richard L. Sprouse, of the 8000-block of Gray Haven Road (21222).

Fire and police units were dispatched at just after 12:45 p.m. on May 10, 2023 to the 8000-block of Gray Haven Road for a residential fire. While en route, crews learned that someone was possibly trapped on the second floor of the home. Two Baltimore County Police Department officers who arrived first tried to reach the second floor to rescue the occupant but had to turn back due to heavy smoke, fire, and intense heat.

Fire crews arrived three minutes later, found heavy fire on the second floor, and entered to search for the victim. They found him, in cardiac arrest, on the second floor and transferred him to the care of EMS providers. He was transported in critical condition to the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, where doctors provided additional treatment before pronouncing him dead.

The one-alarm fire was placed under control at just after 1:15 p.m.

Investigators have ruled this an accidental fire caused by an electrical failure in the victim’s mobility chair.