East Baltimore fire claims lives of 6 adults, kids

BALTIMORE (AP) — A fire at rowhouse in east Baltimore killed six adults and children early today, and spread to another three homes, a fire official said.

Baltimore fire department spokesman Kevin Cartwright said firefighters were called to battle the fire around 4:45 a.m. and arrived to find a two-story brick home fully engulfed in flames.

Cartwright said firefighters initially attacked the fire from the interior, but wind gusts intensified the blaze and they were forced to retreat and battle it from the outside. Once firefighters suppressed the fire, they searched the home and found the six victims, he said. Cartwright said he does not know the ages or identities of the victims, or how they were related.

The fire also damaged three other homes, Cartwright said.

Cartwright said he does not know what caused the fire and investigators were at the scene. He said he also does not know if the home had working smoke alarms.