Elderly Woman Dies From Smoke Inhalation From SW Baltimore Fire
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Yet another fire claims a Baltimore life. A 90-year old woman died in the city's third deadly fire in less than a week. Flames broke out Saturday morning in Allendale in Southwest Baltimore.
Neighbors tell WJZ, the woman lived in that home for decades. Now, another community is left devastated by fatal flames. Fire fighters battled the last of a deadly fire in Baltimore's Allendale neighborhood.
90-year old Polly Taylor, died Saturday morning. Her tragic death comes just a day after fire officials say flames broke out inside her smoke-filled home on Denison Street. The Medical Examiner finding the elderly woman died from smoke inhalation.
Arvell Cole has known Taylor for most of his life.
"It's unreal," says Cole.
"She did everything for everybody that needed to be done and she was a grateful person. And I'm sorry to hear that she passed," he says.
It's the fifth fire-related death the city has seen in less than a week. Before Taylor's death Saturday, four children have also perished in two others fires in a matter of days.
"People look at firefighters as being heroes, but we are human beings. So you know it is heartfelt for us. And our hearts go out to the families," says Baltimore Fire Chief Roman Clark.
On Wednesday night, 3-year-old Nigel Ramirez and his brother, 9-month Exekiel Ramirez died in a fire on Clinton Street in East Baltimore.
"In a matter of five seconds, the whole second floor went up in a blaze. She lost her two babies," says Bridgett Flores, neighbor to the Ramirez family.
The tragic coincidence striking again early Saturday morning. A fire in Southwest Baltimore killing another pair of siblings. The victims, a 10-year-old Kamarl Ferrell and his 1-year-old sister Tylynn McDuffie.
"It really crushed my heart when this happened," says Nicole Winchester, neighbor to the two children who lived on Dorton Court.
The recent losses, more than doubling the number of fire-related deaths in the city in 2016.
Nine people have died due to fires in the city, most of them this month. But while December is a month meant for cheer and joy it's been a time of heartache for three communities. Neighbors say the 90-year-old woman lived with her grandson and dog. The grandson is reported to be okay, but the dog did not survive the fire. Fire officials will be sweeping the city next weekend talking about safety. They'll be back to visit the affected communities.
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