Firefighter Killed Battling 4-Alarm Hillendale Fire
PARKVILLE, Md. (WJZ) -- He ran into a building on fire to help people and it cost him his life. The Baltimore County Fire Department is reeling after a volunteer firefighter dies in the line of duty.
Derek Valcourt reports investigators were out at the Hillendale apartment complex all day searching for answers.
Mark Falkenhan, 43, is being hailed as a hero.
One woman said she is lucky to be alive, and she says it is all because of the firefighter's bravery Wednesday night.
Falkenhan was a volunteer firefighter, who also worked for the Secret Service. He was an emergency services specialist for the Secret Service since 2006. Falkenhan was retired from the Baltimore County Fire Department and volunteered with the Lutherville Volunteer Fire Company.
Evangelyn Code only knows a few details about the firefighter she credits with saving her life. She lived on the third floor of the Towson Crossing Apartments. A four-alarm blaze began consuming her building before she realized it.
"It was terrible. When I opened my apartment door and seen black, and I went to the back patio to open the door and saw the flames, that's when I started panicking," said Code.
Right at the moment of her panic, as she was preparing to jump out of the window, she says Falkenhan arrived to rescue her.
"He made sure I did not jump, he told me, 'Don't jump. Please don't jump. Stay calm,'" Code said.
She said he helped her down a rescue ladder and went back into the burning building to help others still trapped inside. Firefighters on the scene said a sudden flashover, a sudden ignition of combustible gases, overtook Falkenhan while he was searching for other victims in another third floor apartment.
Falkenhan's partner who went into the building with Falkenhan, was saved only because he was able to jump out of one of the windows at the last minute.
"I knew him personally. I met him on his first day of the job when he came to work with us. He was a friend and just a great person," said Chief John Hohman.
Fellow firefighters rushed back in to pull Falkenhan out of the building. Paramedics tried to save him, but could not save his life. Two other people who lived in the building were rushed to the hospital with critical burns.
"It was sad seeing one firefighter. He was really upset. He was crying, throwing his stuff," said Antoinette Smith, witness.
A critical incident stress team was called in to care for the grieving firefighters.
Code knows she is lucky to be alive and grateful to Mark Falkenhan for saving her life.
"I just thank God for him. He was a hero. He was my hero. He was my hero," said Code.
Some 30 people who lived in the apartments are now looking for a new home. Federal agents have been brought in to help with the investigation into the cause.
Falkenhan had a wife and two children, ages 16 and 13.
Maryland lawmakers honored Falkenhan during their Thursday morning sessions.
Towson Crossing Apartments are owned by Morgan Properties. In a statement, a spokesperson said, "We are deeply saddened to hear the news regarding the fatality of the Baltimore County volunteer firefighter who responded to the scene. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and the friends of this brave individual who responded to the scene to assist others in need. Our property and corporate management teams are on the scene and working closely with the local authorities and the Red Cross to assist the affected families in taking care of their immediate needs."
Funeral arrangements have been announced for Falkenhan.
A viewing will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Ruhl Armory in Towson.
A Mass will take place at 11 a.m. Monday at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore. Burial will be at Dulaney Memorial Gardens.
