UPDATE: A GoFundMe has been established for the family.

Original story below…

JOPPA, MD—The Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Harford County Sheriff’s Office have released additional details on a Christmas Day house fire in Joppa that left one man dead.

At just after 6:45 a.m. on December 25, 2024, the Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire and surrounding departments responded to a reported dwelling fire in the 200-block of Doncaster Road. Upon arrival, firefighters found the single-family home with significant fire and smoke visible. The fire was controlled in 30 minutes, and 36 personnel were on the scene. During a subsequent search of the home, they located a deceased male inside the basement.

At this time, official identification and cause of death are pending with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner; however, investigators believe the victim is believed to be a 69-year-old resident of the home. Six other family members lived in the home.

The fire’s origin and cause remain under investigation, and investigators have been unable to locate working smoke alarms in the home. The Office of the State Fire Marshal reminds all Maryland residents that smoke alarms have proven to be the difference between life and death in a fire emergency.

“I, and every member of the Office of the State Fire Marshal, extend our sincere condolences to the victim’s family and friends. It is a heartbreaking day for Harford County,’ said Acting State Fire Marshal Jason M. Mowbray.

A joint investigation is ongoing at this hour.

Photo via JMVFC