A team of Deputy State Fire Marshals, with assistance from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, are continuing their investigation to determine the origin and cause of a dwelling fire near Waldorf where arriving firefighters found the body of a man located in a bedroom of the home.
The 5:20 a.m. blaze in the 10500 block of Beechwood Drive caused an estimated $250,000 damage to the one story, wood-frame, ranch style, single family dwelling. The man has been identified as Richard Duncan Byrd, Jr., age 48. The wife of the dead man, Ms. Donna Byrd, was in North Carolina at the time of the fire visiting with family.
Fifty-five firefighters from Waldorf, Accokeek, Bryans Road, Brandywine, and Westlake were able to control the fire in fifteen minutes. There were no firefighter injuries.
Deputy State Fire Marshals have determined the fire was discovered by a neighbor who called 911. As the investigation to determine the origin and cause continues, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore will conduct a forensic examination to establish the cause of death.
Investigators found a smoke alarm inside the home, however witnesses and first arriving firefighters report they did not hear the alarm sounding. Additionally, the home was not equipped with residential fire sprinklers. Charles County recently joined four other Maryland counties requiring these systems in all newly constructed homes.